Detergents Selection

Detergents are chemicals classified as surfactants, or surface-active molecules. The main application of these detergents is to explore the structure of membrane proteins in biochemical studies without damaging membrane proteins and their functions. However, different types of membrane proteins have been found to require detergents with varying properties for optimal efficiency of protein extraction, protein purification and protein crystallization. Even though scientists know a lot more now about detergents, there are so many types and properties of detergents, that choosing a suitable detergent is still a difficult job that takes a lot of time and effort. And selecting the wrong type to manipulate a protein can break an entire study.

Alfa Chemistry is an expert in detergents and is committed to studying their various biochemical applications. We can quickly and accurately screen out the most suitable detergent for your research. By partnering with Alfa Chemistry, our world-class laboratories and scientists can support your unique requirements, and help you use detergents properly.

Some Considerations for Choosing a Detergent

A suitable detergent is one that works with the highest efficiency compared to other detergents while maintaining the functionality of the target protein. Choice of detergent may involves several considerations:

Consider the solubility of the detergent at the working temperature. Some detergents may not dissolve at operating temperatures or occur phase separation.
Consider the method of detergent removal. For instance, if dialysis is to be employed, a detergent with a high CMC is clearly preferred.
Consider downstream applications. The detergents should be compatible with the downstream processes like purification and crystallization.
Consider detergent purity. Detergents of utmost purity should be used since some detergents are generally known to contain peroxides as contaminants.
Consider the information about membrane proteins denaturation and aggregation tendencies. Weakly binding detergents are suitable denaturation-sensitive membrane proteins and strongly binding detergents would be more suitable for aggregation-sensitive membrane proteins.

Some Considerations for Choosing a Detergent

Besides, other key factors to review when selecting a detergent are: the intended outcome, experimental conditions, sample types, etc.

Our Services

Service directory

Select and screen suitable detergent or detergent combination for membrane proteins according to customer's demands and the type and characteristics of membrane proteins.

Service item

Provide detergents selection consulting, experiment design, detergents screening experiment and detailed project report (a complete experimental operation process and experimental data).

Service scope

Detergent screening for various biochemical studies such as membrane proteins extraction and purification, membrane proteins crystallization and structural determination, etc.

Service object

Various enterprises, universities, scientific research institutions, etc.

Our Technology

At present, Alfa Chemistry has established and mastered a variety of methods and technologies that can be used to screen detergent, including size exclusion chromatography (SEC), ultracentrifugation dispersity sedimentation assay, fluorescence detection size exclusion chromatography (FSEC), differential fitration and ultracentrifugation assays, SEC-LS (light-scattering) and others.

Recently, we also established a high throughput screening method for membrane protein detergents based on nano differential scanning fluorimetry (nanoDSF) technology. The nanoDSF technology can accurately detect the changes of endogenous fluorescence in the process of thermal and chemical denaturation of protein because the fluorescence of tryptophan and tyrosine in protein is closely related to its environment, so as to test the stability of protein in detergent, and then screen suitable detergent. Compared with other methods, the screening of membrane protein detergent using this technology does not require any treatment of membrane protein, and the required sample amount is very small, which is very suitable for the detergent optimization of membrane protein extraction and purification.