Theory behind coomassie stain/destain? - Does adding tissue to the destain really speed destaining? (Mar/06/2007 )
Hi, I have read and heard that when I'm destaining a coomassie-stained gel, adding a tissue will speed the destaining process (presumably by preferentially absorbing the stain). Is there any theory behind this? Has anybody actually proven this? Or is it just a myth?
I always use a sponge. I don't really know if there's any theory, but it seems to work. And I do see more blue around the piece of sponge (not in).
I always use a sponge. I don't really know if there's any theory, but it seems to work. And I do see more blue around the piece of sponge (not in).
I think as you assume, tissue or sponge traps CBB out of destaining solution, and accelerates destaining; chaniging of destaining solution of course has a similar effect...
yes, works by adsorption of coomassie blue.
You can also use activated carbon. I saw someone selling it, like a tea bag. Seems convenient, however expensive !
Initially I thought it was some tissue cells. Forgive me. Just being sleepy.
It is quite interesting to speed up destaining. However, I think by adding tissue/sponge, wouldnt they absorb destaining solution?
And, for activated carbon, is it have to be specific grade? Hmm.. perhaps carbon can bind with CBB. 
coomassie blue adsorbs on activated carbon.
You can destain a stained destaining solution, by filtrating it on activated carbon, and re-use your destain solution.
You can destain a stained destaining solution, by filtrating it on activated carbon, and re-use your destain solution.
Yes, but is there a chemical reason for this? Maybe something about the way that coomassie stains, that it binds to the the activated carbon or the proteins in the kimwipe? I read somewhere that coomassie was originally identified as a wool dye...
the stain is removed from the gel by equilibrium diffusion. by having a matrix present which will adsorb stain from solution (the tissues, kimwipes, cotton, sponge, charcoal, etc) you are not allowing the equilibrium to be attained. so the stain continues to exit the gel (the stain bound to your proteins are minimally affected by the destaining). you use less destaining solution and speed up the process.