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Gels Stains Comparision and Selection Guide

Choose an appropriate protein gel (SDS-PAGE) stain.

Protein Gel Stain Selection Guide Once protein bands have been separated by electrophoresis, they can be visualized using different methods of in-gel detection. Each staining method has particular advantages and disadvantages, including overall convenience, detection limit and compatibility with downstream applications and detection instruments.

The following charts provide a general guide to selecting a protein stain for a given application based on detection method, sensitivity and compatibility with mass spectrometry.

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Protein Electrophoresis

Protein Gel Staining

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Stains for Protein Gels (PAGE)

Table of Total Protein Stains

**Thermo Scientific Gel Stains for detection of total protein.** Some products require additional reagents to be supplied by user. The number of steps includes multiple gel washes, solution changes, destaining steps, etc. Times include gel wash steps and all steps required for best sensitivity in a mini-gel. When less sensitivity is required, shorter staining and destaining times may be used with some protocols.
Product Name	Components (Steps)	Time Required	Detection Method	Limit of Detection	Mass Spec. Compatible
Krypton Fluorescent Protein Stain	1 (7)	2 hr 40 min	fluorescent	0.25ng	Yes
Krypton Infrared Protein Stain	1 (7)	2 hr 40 min	fluorescent	0.25ng	Yes
GelCode Blue Safe Protein Stain	2 (5)	2 hr 15 min	colorimetric	9ng	Yes
GelCode Blue Stain Reagent	1 (5)	2 hr 15 min	colorimetric	8ng	Yes
Imperial Protein Stain	1 (5)	2 hr 15 min	colorimetric	3ng	Yes
Pierce Silver Stain for Mass Spec	6 (17)	1 hr 13 min	colorimetric	0.25ng	Yes
Pierce Silver Stain Kit	4 (15)	2 hr 25 min	colorimetric	0.25ng	Yes
Pierce Color Silver Stain Kit	4 (9)	4 hr 5 min	colorimetric	0.1ng	Yes
Pierce Zinc Reversible Stain Kit	3 (4)	14 min	colorimetric	0.25ng	Yes

Table of Functional Group Protein Stains

**Thermo Scientific Gel Stains for detection of specific classes of proteins.** Some products require additional reagents to be supplied by user. The number of steps includes multiple gel washes, solution changes, destaining steps, etc. Times include gel wash steps and all steps required for best sensitivity in a mini-gel. When less sensitivity is required, shorter staining and destaining times may be used with some protocols.
Product Name	Components (Steps)	Time Required	Detection Method	Limit of Detection	Mass Spec. Compatible
Pierce Glycoprotein Stain	5 (11)	2 hr 40 min	colorimetric	160ng	not tested
6xHis Protein Tag Stain Kit	4 (9)	2 hr 20 min	fluorescent	200ng of 35kDa His-tagged protein	not tested
Phosphoprotein Staining Kit	9 (12)	3 hr 45 min + overnight destain	colorimetric	80ng phosvitin, 160ng beta-casein	not tested

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