Effective sample preparation is crucial for accurate protein quantification in mass spectrometry-based proteomics, especially during protein extraction. However, many widely used surfactants for cell lysis, such as NP-40 Alternative, are derived from alkylphenol ethoxylates, which can break down into environmentally harmful pollutants. This session will emphasize the importance of greener proteomics, advocating for the adoption of more sustainable reagents and practices.
We will present our evaluation of 10 biodegradable surfactants across three key protocols:
- Explore the significance of greener proteomics and improved practices in research.
- Learn how 10 alternative surfactants compare to conventional detergents in various protein extraction methods.
- Understand the impact of these detergents on protein identification and analysis of post-translational modifications.
- Discover how these greener alternatives can maintain quantitative precision and proteomic depth for more sustainable practices in mass spectrometry.
Several greener detergents demonstrated performance comparable to traditional reagents. Our findings reveal that ECO Brij® C10, L23, O20, and Tergitol® 15-S-7 provided protein and peptide identifications on par with Triton controls. Additionally, ECO Surf® EH-9 demonstrated effective glycoprotein enrichment, mirroring SDS-based profiles while capturing unique proteins. For histone PTMs, ECO Brij® C10 and L23 closely matched the modification patterns seen with NP-40 Alternative.
This webinar will showcase how greener surfactants can replace conventional detergents in mass spectrometry workflows, supporting high-quality data collection and promoting environmentally responsible practices in proteomics.
Speakers

Benjamin A. Garcia, PhD, FRSC, ACSF, FAAAS
Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis
Professor
Benjamin Aaron Garcia is an American chemist and Professor at the Washington University School of Medicine. His research interests revolve around developing novel mass spectrometry methods to analyze post-translational modifications of proteins and epigenetics. His work has resulted in over 250 publications and he has been recognized with numerous honors including the American Society for Mass Spectrometry Biemann Medal in 2018.

Debdip Ghosh, PhD
Merck
Senior Global Product Manager
Debdip Ghosh is a Senior Global Product Manager in Merck. He has also served as a global product manager in the Diagnostics and Genomics Division at Agilent Technologies, where he managed a portfolio of antibodies for cancer diagnostics and the biopharma industry. Additionally, Debdip has experience as a staff scientist at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, where he studied biomolecular interactions involving peroxisomal proteins. He holds a master’s degree in biophysical chemistry and a PhD in chemistry from the University of Michigan, with extensive research on protein folding.
Protein biology
- Protein mass spectrometry
Duration:1h
Language:English
Session 1:Wed, November 12, 2025 10:00 AM ET
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