Ponceau S staining solution recipe
A reversible red stain to check protein transfer on the membrane: 0.1% Ponceau S in 5% acetic acid.
🧮 Volume calculator
| Component | Amount | Final concentration (1X) |
|---|---|---|
| Ponceau S | 100 mg | 0.1% (w/v) |
| Glacial acetic acid | 5 mL | 5% |
| Water (distilled) | to final volume |
Steps
- Dissolve Ponceau S with the acetic acid in water to volume.
- Soak the membrane 1–5 min, rinse with water, check and photograph.
- Wash a few times with TBST to remove the stain, then block as usual.
Good to know
- Reusable many times; store at room temperature.
- Ponceau images can be used for total-protein normalisation.
FAQ
Does it work on both nitrocellulose and PVDF?
Yes. Stain PVDF while it is still wet after methanol activation.
This is a widely used standard composition. Amounts depend on the hydrate form and purity of your reagents — check the formula weight (FW) on the bottle and follow your institution's safety rules and the manufacturers' instructions.