What is the functionality of the fixing solution in gel staining? Does it improve the technique?

Answer 1

it is used to dissipate the smell of a fart n it works to some extent..

Answer 2

I am assuming you are talking about protein gels?
Traditionally, staining solutions have contained acetic acid, methanol and Coomassie blue. The methanol is used to dissolve the Coomassie blue and both ingredients act to keep the proteins denatured in the gel --and to keep the proteins from coming out of the gel. However, recently many staining solutions have been developed that do not contain acetic acid and methanol. Page blue (Fermentas) and simply Blue (from Invitrogen) do not contain acetic acid and are very sensitive staining solutions for proteins. In these cases, the SDS must be dissolved out of the gel first by immersing it in H20 for 30 minutes. Thus, I would say that the fixing solution is not really necessary for staining, given the right conditions.