Tween 20
From OpenWetWare
Tween (full name Tween 20 or Polysorbate 20) is a common detergent used in biology used in cell lysis and membrane protein solubilisation among other uses.
Storage/Stability
Based on the SIGMA Tween20 data sheet [1]
- aqueous solutions of polysorbates undergo autoxidation during storage, with changes being catalyzed by light, increased temperature, and copper sulfate
- autoclaving is not recommended without testing for changes in properties; TWEEN 20 may not be stable to autoclaving, particularly with metal cations in buffer solutions.
- TWEEN 20 is heat sensitive and will darken when exposed to elevated temperatures
- polysorbates have been reported to be incompatible with alkalis, heavy metal salts, phenols, and tannic acid
- polysorbates may reduce the activity of many preservatives. No plastic incompatabilities have been observed.
