The detection limit for SYPRO Orange-stained proteins using a DR transilluminator is around 2 - 3 ng both by eye and using Polaroid 667 film. This level of sensitivity, especially by eye, is significantly greater than that obtained using a UV device (about 20 ng).
The protein load on this particular gel ranged from 120 ng to 15 ng of protein per band (left to right). The inset shows the same gel stained with Coomassie Blue.
Not only is the sensitivity of SYPRO Orange much greater than that of Coomassie Blue, but the entire procedure is complete in 20 minutes. After Coomassie staining, on the other hand, the gel has to be de-stained for several hours.
