•Low Hemolytic Activity: Compared to Tween 20, it carries a lower risk of hemolysis, making it suitable for direct whole blood detection (e.g., in lateral flowtest strips, microfluidic chips), thereby reducing hemolysis-related interference.

•Mild Emulsification and Stabilization: The hydrophobic chain adsorbs onto surfaces such as latex/colloidal gold particles or lipids, while the hydrophilic chain forms a protective layer, preventing aggregation or oxidation (e.g., in latex-enhanced turbidimetric assays).

•Blocking Non-Specific Binding: Blocks non-specific adsorption sites on solid carriers (e.g., nitrocellulose membranes, microplates), reducing background interference (e.g., in ELISA).

•Solubilization of Hydrophobic Targets: Enhances the solubility of lipid-soluble molecules (e.g., cholesterol, lipoproteins), improving detection sensitivity (e.g., in blood lipid detection reagents).

•Controllable Steric Hindrance: At appropriate concentrations (typically ≤ 0.1%), it avoids interference from the long polyoxyethylene chain with antigen-antibody binding, ensuring detection sensitivity.

•Direct Whole Blood Detection Reagents: Added to sample diluents to inhibit red blood cell aggregation and rupture, eliminating bias from samples with high hematocrit (HCT) levels (e.g., in CRP testing).

•ELISA Blocking/Wash Buffers: Used in combination with BSA to block non-specific sites, improving the signal-to-noise ratio.

•Latex Particle Stabilizer: Pre-mixed in latex microparticle suspensions to enhance particle dispersibility and optimize the uniformity of turbidity signals (e.g., in PCT detection).

•Solubilizer for Lipid Antigens: Dissolves lipid-soluble antigens (e.g., lipopolysaccharides, membrane proteins) at a final concentration of 0.1%-0.5%, improving antibody binding efficiency (e.g., in autoantibody detection).

•Lyoprotectant: Combined with sugars (e.g., trehalose) to reduce denaturation of proteins/antibodies during lyophilization and extend reagent shelf life.

•Concentration Control: Excessive use (>0.5%) may cause steric hindrance from the polyoxyethylene chains, inhibiting antigen-antibody binding and reducing sensitivity.

•Stability and Storage:

•Avoid Autoclaving: High-pressure sterilization can lead to degradation; filter sterilization (using a 0.22 μm membrane) is recommended.

•Protect from Light and Refrigerate: Prolonged exposure to light/heat may cause oxidation and yellowing (slight discoloration does not affect functionality).

•Compatibility Limitations:

•Avoid Mixing with Strong Oxidizers/Heavy Metal Salts: Such as high concentrations of ammonium persulfate or copper sulfate, which may cause decomposition or precipitation.

•Use with Caution as a Preservative: May reduce the efficacy of preservatives like thimerosal or sodium azide; effectiveness should be verified.

•Decreased Detection Sensitivity: May be due to excessive Tween 80 concentration. It is recommended to reduce the concentration to 0.05%–0.1% or optimize the blocking agent ratio.

•Latex Particle Aggregation: May result from reaction with cationic buffers. Consider switching to a neutral/anionic buffer system (e.g., Tris-HCl).

•Reagent Turbidity or Precipitation: May be caused by metal ions or pH exceeding the optimal range. Adding EDTA (1–5 mM) or adjusting the pH to 6–8 is recommended.

•Slow Lateral Flow Speed in Whole Blood: May be due to insufficient wetting. Consider adding a wetting agent (e.g., Surfynol 465).