Which stain is commonly used for lipoprotein electrophoresis?

The commonly used stain for lipoprotein electrophoresis is Oil Red O. This stain is particularly effective because it is a lipid-soluble dye that specifically targets neutral lipids and triglycerides, making it especially suitable for identifying lipoproteins in a sample. The ability of Oil Red O to provide clear visualization of lipoprotein bands allows for accurate analysis and quantification of different classes of lipoproteins, which is crucial in clinical settings for diagnosing lipid disorders.

While Sudan Red is also a lipid stain, it is not typically used for lipoprotein analysis due to its different properties and specific applications. Methylene Blue is a general stain that binds to nucleic acids and proteins, and is not specific for lipids. Nile Red, like Oil Red O, can stain lipids, but it is primarily used in fluorescence microscopy rather than in standard electrophoresis techniques. Thus, Oil Red O stands out as the most appropriate choice for this application.