A variety of detergents can be used to separate proteins from a membrane. When used to solubilize proteins the detergent is used at its critical micelle concentration (CMC).
The critical micelle concentration (CMC) is the highest concentration of the detergent at which all of the detergent exists as a monomer. At higher concentrations micelles start to form in equilibrium with monomers.
The CMC is expressed in mM.
Protein Separation Technique Being Used
Desirable CMC
dilution or dialysis
high
by molecular weight (gel filtration chromatography)
low
The optimum ratio of detergent to protein (D/P ratio) for delipidation of proteins in micelles is 10:1 or higher. The D/P ratio is expressed as weight to weight (mg to mg).
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