A SENSITIVE METHOD FOR DETECTION OF PROTEINS IN POLYACRYLAMIDE GELS AND ON PROTEIN BLOTS USING ACIDIC HENNA LEAF EXTRACT

In the present communication we describe a process for the preparation of an acidic henna leaf extract useful as a general protein stain for both polyacrylamide gels and protein blots. The staining is reversibl e by changing its pH and does not require protein fixation or destaini ng steps. This staining procedure is simpler and also, its sensitivity is comparable with the two commonly used organic stains i.e. Coomassi e Blue and Amido Black. Under optimum conditions the protein detection limits of acidic henna leaf extract varied from 50 ng to 100 ng.