Rapid detection of proteins in polyacrylamide electrophoresis gels with Direct Red 81 and Amido Black.

Proteins separated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis need to be stained with organic dyes to be visualized and to enable comparisons to be made between the intensity of protein bands to observe and determine differences in protein concentration. The standard protein staining is with Coomassie Blue R-250. Coomassie staining takes 1 h to complete. Direct Red 81 and Amido Black stain proteins within 10 min. This chapter describes Direct Red 81 and Amido Black staining in comparison to staining with Coomassie Blue R-250.