A ‘green’ approach to fixing polyacrylamide gels

Abstract

Handling chemicals that require specific safety precautions and protections generates the need for hazardous waste removal and transportation costs. With the growing effort to reduce both cost per analysis and the environmental footprint of research, we report an effective alternative to the widely used methanol/acetic acid gel fixation solution. 1.0 M citric acid dissolved in 5% acetic acid (C3A) provides comparable results following both SDS-PAGE and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, while also eliminating waste removal costs. •Citric acid dissolved in acetic acid replaces current gel fixative solution.•Cost per analysis is reduced and hazardous waste removal costs eliminated.•Environmental footprint of research is reduced.