At what pH is most electrophoresis performed?

Electrophoresis is a technique commonly used to separate charged molecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids, based on their size and charge. The pH at which electrophoresis is performed can significantly influence the charge of the molecules being analyzed.

At a pH of around 8.6, most proteins and biomolecules carry a net negative charge, which is advantageous for electrophoresis since they will migrate toward the anode (positive electrode). This pH is particularly optimal for separating proteins in gel electrophoresis, as it provides a suitable ionic environment and ensures that proteins remain in their functional states without being denatured or precipitating out of solution.

This pH level also helps in achieving better resolution during the electrophoretic separation, allowing for more distinct bands or peaks for each analyte. Thus, the choice of pH 8.6 is widely accepted as a standard condition for running electrophoresis in biochemistry labs and is supported by numerous protocols and literature in the field.