Two types of haemolytic activity of detergents.

The nonionic detergent Triton X-100 at concentrations of about 0.003 to 0.008% causes swelling followed by the haemolysis of erythrocytes suspended in 160 mM KCl. The rate of haemolysis increases with the increase in detergent concentration. Finally all the erythrocytes are haemolysed. The resistance of erythrocytes to this detergent decreases with an increase in temperature. The effect of Triton X-100 is explained by increased membrane permeability to KCl and colloid osmotic haemolysis. The anionic detergent, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), at concentrations of about 0.003 to 0.001% causes the haemolysis of a certain number of erythrocytes. This number increases with an increase in detergent concentration. The resistance of erythrocytes to SDS increases with an increase in temperature. The effect of SDS is explained by direct disruption of membranes by the detergent.