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