FACTORS AFFECTING THE STAINING PROCESS IN THE QUANTITATIVE ESTIMATION OF SERUM PROTEINS BY PAPER ELECTROPHORESIS.

A procedure for routine analysis of serum proteins is described, which is virtually free from factors requiring critical control in the staining process, and gives a stable linear dye-protein relationship over a wide range of protein densities. Optimal staining is achieved only if the concentration of the dye solution and the staining time both exceed inter-related lower limits which in combination depend on the maximum density of protein on paper for which optimal staining conditions are required. Staining for 10 minutes in a 1 p.c. solution of bromphenol blue produces optimal staining for protein densities up to 0–15 mg./cm². Freedom from factors requiring critical control is a consequence of optimal staining conditions. A number of staining methods described in the literature are sub-optimal and in consequence require rigid standardization to obtain reproducible results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]