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Comparison of blocking buffers for western blotting.
Blocking BufferBenefitsConsiderations
Skim milk
  • Inexpensive
  • Contains multiple types of proteins
Contains biotin and phosphoproteins, which can interfere with streptavidin-biotin detection strategies and detection of phosphorylated target proteins. Due to the number of proteins within milk, milk may mask some antigens and lower the detection limit of the western blot.
Bovine serum albumin (BSA)
  • Good alternative to milk
  • Can be used in biotin-streptavidin systems or when probing for phosphoproteins
Various grades of BSA are commercially available that can impact signal-to-noise. BSA is generally a weaker blocker, which can result in more non-specific antibody binding, but can increase the detection sensitivity for low-abundant proteins.
Purified proteins
  • Single-protein blocking buffers can provide fewer chances of cross-reaction with assay components than serum or milk solutions.
  • Ideal when blockers, such as non-fat milk, block antigen-antibody binding
More expensive than traditional non-fat milk formulations.

References
This online resource may be cited as follows
MLA
"Quest DatabaseComparison of blocking buffers for western blotting.." AAT Bioquest, Inc.9 Oct2025https://www.aatbio.com/data-sets/comparison-of-blocking-buffers-for-western-blotting.
APA
AAT Bioquest, Inc. (2025October 9). Quest DatabaseComparison of blocking buffers for western blotting.. AAT Bioquest. https://www.aatbio.com/data-sets/comparison-of-blocking-buffers-for-western-blotting.
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