Merck, P7949-500ML, TWEEN® 20

Tween® 20 is a nonionic surfactant and detergent widely applied in biochemical and life science research. Its predominant use involves the solubilization of membrane proteins during the isolation of membrane-protein complexes. Moreover, it serves as a component in various washing, blocking, dilution, and stabilization buffers. Additionally, it functions as a reagent for immunohistochemistry, encompassing techniques like Western blotting and ELISAs. In these applications, Tween® 20 plays crucial roles such as preventing non-specific antibody binding, minimizing background staining, and ensuring the even distribution of reagents. Surfactants, characterized by hydrophilic and hydrophobic elements, are broadly classified as either ionic (anionic, cationic, or ampholytic) or nonionic, depending on their ionization behavior in water. The specific product in question falls into the nonionic category and finds versatile applications, including emulsification, dispersion, solubilization, and as a detergent. Notably, it can also act as a solubilizer for membrane proteins.