Nonionic Detergents

Non-Ionic Membrane Protein Detergents — The Ideal Choice for Membrane Protein Research

Membrane proteins, as key carriers of cellular function, play a vital role in drug development, structural biology, and biochemistry. The extraction and purification of membrane proteins are fundamental and crucial steps, and the choice of detergent directly affects the structural integrity and functional activity of membrane proteins. Non-ionic detergents, due to their mild and stable properties, are widely used in membrane protein research and have become the preferred option for preserving the native conformation of membrane proteins.

List of Non-Ionic Detergents Request a Quote

OverviewAdvantagesTypesHot ProductsApplicationsServiceWhy UsCase StudiesFAQLatest UpdatesOnline Inquiry

What Are Non-Ionic Detergents?

Non-ionic detergents are a class of surfactants whose molecular structures contain both hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups but carry no net electrical charge. This structure allows them to effectively disrupt lipid bilayers and release membrane proteins while avoiding the structural damage that charged ions may cause to proteins. Compared to ionic detergents, non-ionic detergents exhibit significantly reduced denaturing effects on proteins, helping maintain protein activity and stability.

Advantages of Non-Ionic Detergents

Mildness

Non-ionic detergents disrupt lipid membranes while preserving the tertiary and quaternary structures of membrane proteins, reducing the risk of protein denaturation.

Good Biocompatibility

They interfere minimally with protein activity, making them suitable for subsequent functional assays and structural analysis.

Aggregation Suppression

They help maintain membrane protein solubility and monomeric states, preventing precipitation and aggregation.

High Chemical Stability

Resistant to hydrolysis or degradation, ensuring reproducibility and reliability of experimental results.

Wide Applicability

Suitable for a variety of membrane proteins and complex experimental conditions, meeting diverse research needs.

Main Types of Non-Ionic Detergents and Performance Comparison

Triton X-100

Tween Series

DDM（Dodecylmaltoside）

OG（Octylglucoside）

Triton X-100

Solubilizing Ability: Triton X-100 exhibits strong solubilizing power, making it particularly suitable for membrane protein extraction. It can lyse cells effectively at low concentrations while causing minimal protein denaturation, thus helping to preserve the native conformation of membrane proteins.
Thermal Stability: Triton X-100 remains stable at elevated temperatures. However, its cloud point is 64°C, so its phase transition behavior should be considered when working at high temperatures.
Applications: Triton X-100 is widely used for cell lysis, membrane protein extraction, and immunocytochemical labeling. Its mild properties make it one of the preferred detergents for membrane protein research.

Tween Series

1.Tween-20

Solubilizing Ability: Tween-20 has relatively weak solubilizing power but causes minimal protein denaturation, making it suitable as a blocking agent and for improving antibody specificity.
Thermal Stability: Tween-20 becomes turbid upon heating but clears upon cooling. However, its overall thermal stability is relatively poor.
Applications: Tween-20 is commonly used as a solubilizer in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. It is less frequently used as a primary detergent in biological experiments.

2.Tween-80

Solubilizing Ability: Tween-80 has relatively strong solubilizing power. Due to its larger molecular weight and more stable micellar structure, it is suitable for emulsification and stabilizing emulsions.
Thermal Stability: Tween-80 is relatively stable at elevated temperatures, but its cloud point remains undefined and requires further investigation.
Applications: Tween-80 is widely used in the food and cosmetic industries, though less commonly employed as a main detergent in biological research.

DDM(Dodecylmaltoside)

Solubilizing Ability: DDM has strong solubilizing power, making it especially suitable for membrane protein extraction and stabilization. Its stable micellar structure makes it ideal for membrane protein crystallization and purification.
Thermal Stability: DDM shows good thermal stability, though its cloud point is not clearly defined and requires further study.
Applications: DDM is commonly used for membrane protein extraction and stabilization, especially in experiments requiring high solubilizing power and stability.

OG(Octylglucoside)

Solubilizing Ability: OG has strong solubilizing power and forms stable micelles due to its relatively large molecular weight. It is suitable for membrane protein extraction and stabilization.
Thermal Stability: OG shows good thermal stability, though its cloud point remains undefined and needs further research.
Applications: OG is suitable for extracting and stabilizing membrane proteins, particularly in experiments requiring high solubility and stability.

Customers Often Look For

To meet the diverse needs of research and applications, we have carefully selected the following popular Non-ionic Detergents products, available in stock with fast shipping and customization services.

What Are the Application Areas of Nonionic Detergents

1. Membrane Protein Extraction and Solubilization

Nonionic detergents can gently solubilize membrane proteins without causing denaturation. Examples such as Triton X-100, Tween-80, and DDM (n-Dodecyl-β-D-maltoside) are widely used for the extraction and solubilization of membrane proteins. These detergents interact with the hydrophobic regions of membrane proteins, facilitating their release from the lipid bilayer and maintaining them in a soluble state in aqueous solution.

2. Membrane Protein Purification and Structural Analysis

Selecting an appropriate detergent is critical for preserving the structural integrity and biological activity of membrane proteins during purification. Due to their mild nature, nonionic detergents are commonly used in this process. Triton X-100 and DDM are widely utilized to effectively solubilize and stabilize membrane proteins during purification. Additionally, nonionic amphiphilic detergents such as NAPol, which function across a broad pH range, are also employed.

3. Enzymatic Activity and Functional Assays

Nonionic detergents play a vital role in maintaining the biological activity of membrane proteins. For instance, when studying the intracellular domain of protein tyrosine kinase NOK/STYK1, NP-40 was chosen due to its minimal impact on protein structure and function, which helps preserve enzyme conformation and catalytic activity. Moreover, detergents like Triton X-100 help retain protein activity during purification, ensuring reliable results in subsequent enzyme activity assays.

4. Stabilization of Membrane Protein Complexes

Nonionic detergents can mimic the phospholipid environment of membrane proteins, thereby stabilizing their native structure. Detergents such as Triton X-100 and DDM can simulate the phospholipid bilayer, providing a stable hydrophobic environment that maintains membrane proteins in a soluble and stable form in aqueous solution. Detergents like NAPol and DDM are also used to stabilize membrane protein complexes, preserving their functional and structural integrity.

5. Drug Screening and Formulation Development

Nonionic detergents also play a crucial role in drug screening and pharmaceutical formulation development. For example, GDN101 (a digitonin substitute) has been used in membrane protein studies to enhance protein stability and activity compared to traditional detergents. DDM and Triton X-100 are frequently employed in drug screening assays to evaluate the binding capacity and activity of membrane proteins.

Professional Service Support

To assist researchers in efficiently screening and optimizing the use of nonionic detergents in specific membrane protein systems, we also offer complementary detergent characterization and custom design services to enable more precise membrane protein extraction and functional preservation.

Request a Quote

Why Choose Us?

Request a Quote

High Purity Assurance

All non-ionic detergents undergo rigorous purity testing to ensure no impurity interference.

Batch-to-Batch Consistency

Advanced manufacturing processes guarantee consistent performance across product batches.

Customizable Solutions

Personalized customization available for different specifications, concentrations, and buffer systems.

Expert Technical Team

Our specialists have extensive experience in membrane protein research and offer full technical support.

Proven Track Record

Numerous successful research projects demonstrate our ability to solve real-world application challenges.

What Success Stories Can We Share?

Discover how our products are applied in real-world scenarios through our case studies.

Case 1: Application of TRITON X-100 Hydrogenated in the Stable Extraction of Mitochondrial Membrane Proteins

Research Background

A structural biology laboratory at a university is dedicated to studying the structure and function of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes. In order to extract high-quality inner mitochondrial membrane proteins (such as Complex I and III), the team screened for suitable detergents. Conventional Triton X-100 contains unsaturated aromatic structures, which may interfere with mass spectrometry (MS) analysis and stability assessments. To avoid these issues, the researchers opted for TRITON X-100 Hydrogenated (fully hydrogenated form) to obtain a higher-purity extraction system.

Method

Purified mitochondrial pellets were suspended in a buffer containing 1% TRITON X-100 Hydrogenated and gently stirred on ice for 30 minutes. After ultracentrifugation, membrane proteins in the supernatant were collected for further analysis.

Results & Analysis

SDS-PAGE showed clear bands of the target membrane proteins with minimal background proteins.
LC-MS analysis revealed almost no background peaks related to aromatic groups, with a significantly improved signal-to-noise ratio.
Proteins remained stable without degradation or aggregation after 48 hours of storage at low temperature.

Conclusion

TRITON X-100 Hydrogenated significantly reduced MS background interference and ensured the stability and purity of membrane proteins. It is particularly well-suited for structural and MS studies where high analytical purity is required.

Case 2: Application of Digitonin in the Study of Cholesterol-Enriched Membrane Domain Protein Complexes

Research Background

A research center at a biopharmaceutical company focuses on lipid raft–associated signaling pathways in the cell membrane, especially transmembrane signaling complexes in cholesterol-rich regions. Traditional nonionic detergents often disrupt these membrane domains, leading to dissociation of protein complexes. To address this, the team employed Digitonin for gentle extraction of cholesterol-containing raft structures.

Method

Digitonin (0.5–1% concentration) was used to treat mammalian cell lysates for the extraction of raft-associated membrane proteins. Sucrose density gradient centrifugation was performed to isolate the raft components, followed by immunoprecipitation assays.

Results & Analysis

Successfully enriched multiple raft markers, including caveolin-1 and Src protein.
Co-immunoprecipitation revealed that multiple transmembrane receptors and signaling proteins formed stable complexes.
Digitonin preserved the integrity of lipid rafts, prevented dissociation of protein complexes, and enhanced the reliability of signaling pathway analysis.

Conclusion

Digitonin is an ideal tool for extracting cholesterol-enriched membrane domains. Its mild and highly selective nature offers unique advantages in lipid raft research and receptor signaling complex analysis.

Case 3: Application of Dodecan-2-yloxy-β-D-maltoside in Cryo-EM Sample Preparation of GPCR Membrane Proteins

Research Background

A key laboratory is engaged in the structural analysis of G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs). Due to their susceptibility to inactivation and aggregation, the research team prioritized detergent properties such as mildness, low critical micelle concentration (CMC), and uniform micelle size during screening. Dodecan-2-yloxy-β-D-maltoside was ultimately chosen to stabilize monomeric GPCRs for cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) studies.

Method

GPCR proteins were extracted using a buffer containing Dodecan-2-yloxy-β-D-maltoside at 1.5 × CMC. The proteins were purified via affinity chromatography and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), followed by negative staining and cryo-EM grid preparation.

Results & Analysis

Protein samples showed monodisperse distribution under TEM, with almost no aggregation.
Cryo-EM reconstruction achieved a resolution of<3.5 Å, clearly resolving transmembrane domains and ligand-binding sites.
The detergent demonstrated good stability under low-temperature conditions, making it suitable for extended EM operations.

Conclusion

Dodecan-2-yloxy-β-D-maltoside excels in maintaining GPCR stability, improving sample quality, and enhancing structural resolution. It is a top-choice detergent for membrane protein cryo-EM research.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How do non-ionic detergents affect the conformational stability of membrane proteins during extraction?

Non-ionic detergents lack charged groups, so they typically do not engage in strong electrostatic interactions with membrane protein surfaces. This reduces the risk of conformational disruption. Their mild nature helps preserve the native structure of membrane proteins, which is especially important for downstream applications such as cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, or functional assays, where maintaining protein activity and structural integrity is critical.

2. How do I select the appropriate type of non-ionic detergent (e.g., alkyl chain length, hydrophilic head group) based on my target membrane protein?

The hydrophobic chain length and the nature of the hydrophilic head group (e.g., glycosidic or polyether) influence both hydrophobic interactions and the critical micelle concentration (CMC). In general:

Glycosidic detergents (e.g., DDM, LMNG) are suitable for membrane proteins requiring high stability.
Polyether detergents (e.g., Triton derivatives) are ideal for applications emphasizing extraction efficiency with lower sensitivity to protein structure.

We recommend selecting detergents based on the size of the hydrophobic region of your membrane protein, the downstream analytical method, and storage requirements.

3. How can I assess whether detergent-induced protein aggregation or activity loss occurs during membrane protein extraction?

Common evaluation methods include:

SDS-PAGE and BN-PAGE to identify high-molecular-weight aggregates.
SEC (Size-Exclusion Chromatography) to verify monodispersity or the presence of a single peak.
Activity assays (e.g., ATPase or enzymatic activity tests) to evaluate functional integrity.
Significant changes in these measurements after detergent use can indicate an effect on protein stability.

4. Are there compatibility issues between non-ionic detergents and mass spectrometry or cryo-EM?

Some non-ionic detergents (e.g., Triton X-100) contain aromatic rings that may interfere with mass spectrometry signals or ice film formation in cryo-EM. It is recommended to use fully hydrogenated variants (e.g., TRITON X-100 Hydrogenated) or highly purified, low-background glycosidic detergents (e.g., DDM, LMNG) to avoid signal interference. For cryo-EM, detergents with low CMC, small micelle size, and gentle extraction properties are preferred.

5. Can non-ionic detergents be used in combination with other additives (e.g., lipids, cholesterol, cofactors) to stabilize membrane proteins?

Yes, and in some membrane protein systems, such combinations are essential. For example, Digitonin is often used to preserve cholesterol-rich lipid raft structures. In cryo-EM sample preparation, specific lipids (e.g., POPC, CHS) are frequently added alongside non-ionic detergents to mimic the native membrane environment and enhance conformational stability. However, attention should be paid to system compatibility and precipitation risks, and it's best to optimize ratios through stepwise gradient testing.

Latest Updates

Blog

Advanced Cleaning Mechanisms: What is a Nonionic Detergent?

Need Help or Have a Question?

Call a specialist:

Send us a request