Ponceau S dilemma - "Trichloroacetic" or "Trifluoroacetic" acid (Oct/27/2010 )

Hi all,
I had come across few protocols of ponceau S stain of pvdf membrane.
Some uses "Trichloroacetic" and some uses "Trifluoroacetic" acid.

Which is better / more relevant? Also, can share your formulation of "ponceau S"?

thanks a billion.

-adrian kohsf-

adrian kohsf on Thu Oct 28 03:55:05 2010 said:

I assume you just want to check efficiency of transfer and then go for immunoblotting. What we use is 0.1% Ponceau S in 5% Acetic acid Stain for 5-10 mins. rinse once or twice with water. mark the marker bands and then destain using 0.1 M NaOH 2-3 mins followed by subsequent rinsing with water 2-3 times / 5 mins to remove NaOH. then perform blocking and primary antibody treatment. hope this helps you.

-biotef-

Hi biotef,
Thanks for your reply and protocol sharing. The reason I ask is because all the links listed below uses either one of the acid that I mentioned.. that is the reason I find it curious...

Thank you very much
Adrian

Article: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S1677-04202002000300003&script=sci_arttext
"The nitrocelullose membrane was revealed with 0.2 % ponceau S in 3 % trifluoroacetic acid (v/v) and destained with PBS"

Milipore: http://www.millipore.com/immunodetection/id3/westernblottingprotocols
"Stock solution: 2% Ponceau S in 30% trichloroacetic acid and 30% sulfosalicylic acid; dilute 1:10 for use."

Ivan: http://ivaan.com/protocols/137.html
"Mix 2 g of Ponceau-S (2%), 30 g of Trichloroacetic acid (30%), 30 g of Sulfosalicylic acid (30%), and dH2O to 100 mL"

-adrian kohsf-