OVERVIEW

Tween 20 is a non-ionic detergent and is used in many biological applications including immunochemistry and western blotting. Tween 20 is a highly viscous liquid. Accurately transferring a right volume of Tween 20 is difficult due to its viscous nature, therefore, a 20% Tween 20 solution can be prepared. In contrast to Triton X-100, Tween 20 is easily miscible in water.  

REQUIREMENTS

Reagents and solution
Tween 20
Deionized water

Equipment and disposables
50 ml Screw cap tube (e.g., sarstedt, #62.547.255)
Tube Rotator (e.g., Tube Revolver Rotator, ThermoFisher Scientific, #88881001)

COMPOSITION

20% Tween 20 in water

OBJECTIVE

Preparation of 50 ml of  20% Tween 20 in water

PROCEDURE

Use personal protective equipment (lab coat, gloves, goggles, etc) for your safety and follow the guidelines of your institute.

Step 1: Weigh out 10.95 g of Tween 20 in a 50 ml Screw cap tube.

Note:
The density of Tween 20 is 1.095 g/mL at 25 °C. This means that 1 ml of Tween 20 weighs 1.095 grams and 10 ml will weigh 10.95 grams.

Step 2: Add 40 ml water and mix by inverting the tube several times/using a Tube Rotator until you see a clear transparent homogeneous liquid.

Note:
Unlike Triton X-100, Tween 20 dissolves readily in water.

STORAGE

A  20% Tween 20 solution can be stored at room temperature. Cover the tube with aluminum foil to protect tween-20 from light.