Reagent Kit Optimization using the Surfactant ToolKit

First, decide what basic problems are inherent in your test. Are they manufacturing or performance problems? Manufacturing problems are generally related to reagent solubility, poor stability of the stock reagent dip, uneven impregnation/coating of the web support, air bubbles in the device, wetability, or inadequate emulsification. Performance problems typically are poor  precision, lack of lot-to-lot reproducibility, low signal to background noise ratio, limited range of response, and/or limited stability/shelf-life. All these are surfactant-related problems which could be preventing your test from performing better.

Next, design a screening experiment that clearly measures the characteristics to be improved. It is best to screen all 25 of the surfactants in the kit, if possible.

Incorporate the 25 surfactants individually into formulation at low and high concentration levels (if you don't know what to pick, try 0.3 and 0.8%). Don't neglect to use a surfactant in each solution which will be a separate component of the kit. some surfactants may not be soluble.

You will now have as many as 50 formulations. Test these formulations under full assay conditions.

Now, simply look for the formulation(s) with the best performance characteristics. You may want to fine-tune for the optimal surfactant concentration for the one chosen.

It's possible that more than one surfactant will be desirable in your formulation, if you have multiple performance characteristics to fix; most surfactants can be combined in together. Don't forget to choose surfactant levels above or below the level that gave good results. You may want to use formula optimization techniques at ths point. Additional technical assistance and optimization protocols may be available on custom contract-inquire for costs and details.

If you obtained some improved performance with one or more of the surfactants but desire even more improvement, contact us. We can make available to you surfactants which have properties similar to the ones in the kit but were not included. For each surfactant in the kit, many more are usually available which have similar but distinct structures. Don't stop short of the desired performance characteristics you are seeking.

Surfactants are not the only ingredients to give improved performance & manufacturability. Polymers, Functional Materials,Biocides & Preservatives can also be key ingredients to accomplish your objectives. See our other developers kits.