Thermo Scientific™ 2-Mercaptoethanol 99%, pure

Thermo Scientific™ 2-Mercaptoethanol (2-ME, β-Mercaptoethanol) is a high-purity (99%) thiol compound widely used as a reducing agent, antioxidant, and protein stabilizer in molecular biology, cell culture, and biochemical applications. This colorless to pale yellow liquid features a strong, pungent odor and is highly volatile, necessitating proper handling and storage.

Due to its strong reducing properties, 2-Mercaptoethanol is commonly used to break disulfide bonds in proteins, prevent oxidation, and maintain reducing conditions in biological assays. Additionally, it is used in nucleic acid isolation, SDS-PAGE, enzyme stabilization, and tissue culture media to reduce oxidative stress.

Key Features & Benefits

1. High Purity (99%) for Reliable Performance
   • Suitable for biochemical, molecular biology, and cell culture applications.
   • Ensures consistent and reproducible experimental results.
2. Powerful Reducing Agent
   • Effectively breaks disulfide bonds in proteins, making it ideal for SDS-PAGE and Western blot applications.
   • Prevents protein oxidation and aggregation.
3. Maintains Reducing Conditions in Cell Culture & Biochemical Assays
   • Used in tissue culture media to prevent oxidative damage to cells.
   • Protects thiol groups in enzymes and proteins, enhancing stability.
4. Nucleic Acid Isolation & RNA Stability
   • Used in RNA extraction protocols to inhibit RNases, preventing RNA degradation.
   • Helps in denaturing nucleic acid secondary structures during electrophoresis.
5. Versatile Laboratory Applications
   • Commonly used in SDS-PAGE, molecular cloning, protein purification, and ELISA assays.
   • Suitable for chemical synthesis and reducing disulfide bonds in small molecules.

Product Specifications

Applications & Uses

1. Protein & Enzyme Research
   • Used as a reducing agent to break disulfide bonds in proteins and peptides.
   • Essential for denaturing proteins in SDS-PAGE and Western blotting.
   • Maintains thiol group stability in enzymes, preventing inactivation.
2. Molecular Biology & Nucleic Acid Research
   • Prevents RNA degradation by inhibiting RNases in RNA extraction protocols.
   • Used in RT-PCR, qPCR, and cDNA synthesis to maintain reducing conditions.
   • Helps denature nucleic acids during electrophoresis and hybridization.
3. Cell Culture & Tissue Engineering
   • Added to cell culture media to reduce oxidative stress in cells.
   • Improves survival and differentiation of sensitive cell lines.
   • Used in stem cell and primary cell research to enhance cell viability.
4. Chemical Synthesis & Industrial Applications
   • Acts as a strong reducing agent in organic synthesis.
   • Used in polymerization reactions and chemical modification of biomolecules.
   • Functions as a stabilizing agent for metal nanoparticles.

Storage & Handling Instructions

• Storage Conditions:
  • Store at 2°C to 8°C (refrigerated) in a tightly sealed bottle.
  • Keep in a well-ventilated area away from heat and ignition sources.
• Handling Precautions:
  • Use gloves, eye protection, and a fume hood when handling due to its strong odor and toxicity.
  • Avoid inhalation and direct skin contact—classified as toxic and irritant.
• Disposal Guidelines:
  • Dispose of according to local regulations for hazardous chemical waste.

Safety Information

• Hazard Classification:
  • Toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the skin (H301, H311, H331).
  • Causes serious eye and skin irritation (H315, H319).
  • Harmful to aquatic life (H401).
• First Aid Measures:
  • Inhalation: Move to fresh air and seek medical attention.
  • Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.
  • Eye Contact: Rinse with water for several minutes; seek immediate medical help.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
  • Gloves: Nitrile or latex gloves.
  • Eye Protection: Safety goggles or face shield.
  • Ventilation: Use in a fume hood to minimize exposure.

Why Choose Thermo Scientific™ 2-Mercaptoethanol?

✅ High Purity (99%) for reliable biochemical applications

✅ Strong reducing agent for protein, enzyme, and nucleic acid research

✅ Prevents RNA degradation by inhibiting RNases

✅ Maintains reducing conditions in cell culture media

✅ Versatile for SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, and molecular biology workflows

This high-purity 2-Mercaptoethanol is an essential reagent for biochemistry, molecular biology, and cell culture applications, ensuring accurate and reproducible results.