BCIP/NBT MEMBRANE SUBSTRATES
BCIP (5-Bromo-4-Chloro-3'-Indolyphosphate p-Toluidine Salt) and NBT (Nitro-Blue Tetrazolium Chloride) are chemical compounds used in immunoblotting for the sensitive detection of alkaline phosphatase (AP).  NBT serves as the oxidant and BCIP is the alkaline phosphatase substrate. BCIP/NBT naturally forms a bluish-purple precipitate over time; however, alkaline phosphatase speeds up the process 1000-fold. BCIP binds very tightly in the alkaline phosphatase active site, but when NBT reacts with BCIP, it is released from the enzyme and the colored precipitate forms. BioFX has developed two unique one component ready to use BCIP/NBT substrates for the detection of alkaline phosphatase in membrane applications.  These two formulations, available in blue or purple, provide crisp detail and low background.