Thermo Scientific™ TRITON™ X-100 (Polyethylene glycol tert-octylphenyl ether)

Non-Ionic Surfactant for Protein Solubilization & Cell Permeabilization

The Alfa Aesar™ TRITON™ X-100 is a non-ionic surfactant and emulsifier commonly used in biochemical and molecular biology applications. It is widely utilized for protein solubilization, cell lysis, membrane protein extraction, and immunofluorescence studies. Due to its mild, non-denaturing properties, TRITON™ X-100 enables the recovery of membrane-bound components while preserving protein integrity, making it ideal for sensitive molecular biology research applications.

Key Features & Benefits

✅ Mild, Non-Denaturing Detergent

• Solubilizes membrane proteins and cellular organelles without denaturation.
• Ensures reproducibility in protein extraction protocols.

✅ Ideal for Molecular Biology & Immunological Applications

• Tested for DNase and RNase, ensuring nucleic acid integrity.
• Compatible with immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), and flow cytometry.

✅ Versatile Use in Biochemical & Molecular Research

• Functions as a superior wetting agent and emulsifier for cell lysis and transfection.
• Used in radioenzymatic assays, outer membrane protein extraction, and enzyme activity assays.

✅ Reliable Surfactant for Experimental Consistency

• Supports mild recovery of membrane-bound proteins under non-denaturing conditions.
• Can be used for live-cell permeabilization for molecular and cellular studies.

Technical Specifications

Use Cases & Applications

1. Protein Solubilization & Cell Lysis

Primary Use:

• Used for gentle lysis of cells to extract proteins, organelles, and membrane components.
• Essential for protein extraction in structural and functional studies.

Practical Example:

A biochemistry lab studying membrane proteins uses TRITON™ X-100 in cell lysis buffers to extract functional transmembrane proteins without denaturation.

2. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) & Immunofluorescence (IF) Studies

Primary Use:

• Used for permeabilizing tissue sections in immunofluorescent labeling and IHC staining.
• Enhances antibody penetration and staining efficiency.

Practical Example:

A neuroscience research group analyzing retinal cell structures uses TRITON™ X-100 in immunohistochemistry protocols to permeabilize flat-mounted retina samples before antibody staining and fluorescent microscopy analysis.

3. Flow Cytometry & Cell-Based Assays

Primary Use:

• Used to permeabilize cells for intracellular staining in flow cytometry (FACS).
• Supports Annexin V and LDH assays for cell membrane integrity assessment.

Practical Example:

A cancer research lab performing Annexin V apoptosis assays uses TRITON™ X-100 to selectively permeabilize damaged cells, enabling precise flow cytometry-based apoptosis detection.

4. Membrane Protein & Lipid Studies

Primary Use:

• Used in outer membrane protein extraction protocols.
• Helps recover lipids and membrane-bound components for biochemical analysis.

Practical Example:

A microbiology lab studying bacterial membrane proteins uses TRITON™ X-100 to isolate outer membrane components, enabling functional characterization of virulence factors in pathogenic bacteria.

5. Enzyme Activity & Biochemical Assays

Primary Use:

• Used in radioenzymatic procedures to estimate lipase activity in plasma.
• Serves as a positive control in LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) assays.

Practical Example:

A biochemistry lab analyzing post-heparin lipase activity uses TRITON™ X-100 in a modified Belfrage and Vaughan assay, ensuring consistent enzyme activity readings.

Why Choose Alfa Aesar™ TRITON™ X-100?

🧪 Mild, Non-Denaturing Properties – Preserves protein structure and enzymatic activity during extraction.

🔬 Ideal for Immunohistochemistry & Fluorescence Imaging – Enhances antibody penetration for clear, high-resolution staining.

🧫 Reliable for Cell-Based Assays – Ensures consistent cell permeabilization for FACS and apoptosis studies.

⚡ High Purity & Tested for RNase/DNase – Suitable for nucleic acid and protein research applications.

📈 Highly Versatile – Works in biochemical assays, membrane research, and protein solubilization studies.

The Alfa Aesar™ TRITON™ X-100 is a widely used, research-grade, non-ionic surfactant designed for protein extraction, immunohistochemistry, cell-based assays, and membrane research. Its non-denaturing properties, high purity, and biochemical versatility make it an essential reagent for molecular biology and biochemistry laboratories.