Description
Understanding Triton X-100 Surfactant
Triton X-100, scientifically classified as polyethylene glycol tert-octylphenyl ether or octylphenol ethoxylate, is a versatile non-ionic detergent and surfactant. Its molecular structure consists of a water-loving (hydrophilic) polyethylene oxide chain bonded to an oil-loving (hydrophobic) aromatic hydrocarbon group. Valued for its chemical stability, mild profile, and outstanding solubilizing capabilities, it is widely utilized across laboratory research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical production, and industrial cleaning sectors.
Because it is non-ionic and carries no electrical charge in aqueous solutions, it can efficiently break down lipid-to-lipid and lipid-to-protein interactions without denaturing or damaging delicate target proteins.
Key Applications and Uses
Cell Lysis and Permeabilization: Routinely used in cell culture and molecular biology to gently break open cell membranes. It dissolves membrane proteins while keeping internal organelles intact, making it essential for Western blotting, immunofluorescence (IF), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and DNA/RNA extraction.
Viral Inactivation: Acts as a critical safety component in bio-pharmaceutical manufacturing to clear and neutralize lipid-enveloped viruses (such as HIV, HBV, and HCV) within blood plasma products and recombinant therapies.
Industrial & Specialty Cleaning: Featuring a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of roughly 0.22mM at 25 Deg C, it effectively lowers surface tension to serve as an efficient wetting agent, emulsifier, and detergent in metal plating, photographic development, and high-precision cleaning.
Technical Specifications at a Glance
Property | Detail / Value |
CAS Number: 9002-93-1
Chemical Category: Non-ionic surfactant (Octylphenol ethoxylate)
Average Molecular Weight ~ 625 g/mol
Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC): 0.22mM at 25 Deg C
Cloud Point: 63-69 Deg C
HLB Value (Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance) : 13.5 (strongly hydrophilic) |








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