What are the differences between Coomassie staining and silver staining?

Question

Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation

Coomassie staining

Silver staining

Definition

Is a protein staining method that uses coomassie brilliant blue stain

Is a protein staining method that uses silver stain

Complexity

Is a simple, rapid technique

Is a more complex, time-consuming technique

Color following staining

Blue

Brown or black

Sensitivity

Less sensitive

More sensitive

Types of proteins stained

Nearly all proteins

All except glycoproteins and proteins with modified groups on their side chains

Steps

Fixation, staining, and destaining

Fixation, sensitization, staining, development, stop excision, destaining

Stains used

R-250, bio-safe G-250 or conventional G-250

Silver nitrate and silver ammonia complex

Basis of differentiation	Coomassie staining	Silver staining
Definition	Is a protein staining method that uses coomassie brilliant blue stain	Is a protein staining method that uses silver stain
Complexity	Is a simple, rapid technique	Is a more complex, time-consuming technique
Color following staining	Blue	Brown or black
Sensitivity	Less sensitive	More sensitive
Types of proteins stained	Nearly all proteins	All except glycoproteins and proteins with modified groups on their side chains
Steps	Fixation, staining, and destaining	Fixation, sensitization, staining, development, stop excision, destaining
Stains used	R-250, bio-safe G-250 or conventional G-250	Silver nitrate and silver ammonia complex