A novel method for specific visualisation of serum albumin in polyacrylamide gels by iodine staining.

Bovine serum, bovine serum albumins (delipidated or globulin free or Fraction V), rabbit serum, rabbit serum albumin, Atlantic salmon serum, purified Atlantic salmon serum albumin, human plasma alpha 2-macroglobulin, hemocyanin, trypsin inhibitor, bovine transferrin and bovine lactoferrin were examined by a novel method for specific visualisation of albumins. In native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis the albumins were visualised by iodine staining as a transparent spot against a brown background whilst the other proteins could not be visualised. It is suggested that the brown background was due to penetration of the gel by iodine while the chemical binding of iodine by albumin produced a decolourisation reaction. This novel method provides a fast and simple approach to identifying serum albumin in polyacrylamide gels.