Merck, L6026-1KG, Sodium dodecyl sulfate

Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is a well-known anionic detergent widely used in scientific research to denature proteins′ secondary and tertiary structures. It consists of a 12-carbon non-polar chain with a negatively charged sulfate group at the end. SDS is instrumental in denaturing and solubilizing proteins, making it a fundamental component of procedures like polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, where it helps determine protein molecular weights.Moreover, SDS acts as an organic sodium salt and serves dual roles as a detergent and a protein denaturant. Its distinctive feature is its anionic surfactant nature, characterized by a negative charge. This charge fosters interactions with proteins and lipids, leading to the creation of micellar structures. These micelles are essential for SDS′s capacity to effectively solubilize and stabilize proteins and lipids, enabling their detailed study and manipulation in scientific research. SDS′s amphipathic properties, stemming from a long-chain aliphatic group with an attached negatively charged sulfate, make it a valuable detergent for various biomolecular experiments and studies.