Protein foaming during sonication is a sign of protein degradation. I tried my best to avoid it by using low amplitude (up to 60%) sonication but still i find foaming in the protein sample which makes lysis inefficient. My lysis buffer contains 10mM imidazole, 300mM NaCl and 10mM TrisCl pH 8.0. Can any body suggest some antifoaming agents which can improve my sonication?
Foaming is the result of not keeping the sonication probe properly submerged into the sample. The tip cannot be close to the surface; otherwise you inevitably get foaming. Possible solutions (in addition to ensuring that the sample does not move, as recommended by Juan) are to increase sample volume or to use a narrower container.
I guess you sonicate on ice. Make sure there is no ice below your recipient . The ice below melts and the sample goes down, the tip of the sonicator is not anymore inside the sample but slightly in contact. This is most likely what makes foam during sonication. Good luck!
Foaming is the result of not keeping the sonication probe properly submerged into the sample. The tip cannot be close to the surface; otherwise you inevitably get foaming. Possible solutions (in addition to ensuring that the sample does not move, as recommended by Juan) are to increase sample volume or to use a narrower container.
Thanks to both of you for suggestions. Does the size of sonication probe affect foaming? Well, I guess it does.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Molecular Biology
- Molecular Biological Techniques