Understanding n-Octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside: A Non-ionic Surfactant for Research and Biotechnology

Introduction to n-Octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside

n-octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (OG / OGP), CAS 29836-26-8, C14H28O6, MW ≈ 292.4 g·mol⁻¹

n-octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside a non-ionic alkyl glucoside: a C8 hydrophobe (n-octyl) glycosidically linked to β-D-glucose. It forms small, fairly uniform micelles and is renowned for its high CMC (typically ~18–25 mM in water), which makes it easy to remove by dilution/dialysis after solubilization or during reconstitution into liposomes/nanodiscs. This is why OG shows up so often in membrane-protein extraction → reconstitution workflows.

OG / OGP of different grade & purity carried by Aladdin:

O432561 100 mM solution

O432559 ≥95%(HPLC) 50 % (w/v) in H2O

O105509 ≥97%

O105510 for protein analysis ≥98%

Core physicochemistry

· Critical micelle concentration (CMC): 

~15–25 mM in water at room temperature (often reported as ~0.5–0.8% w/v, i.e., ≈0.53%).

· Aggregation number (Nagg):

Typically ~80–85 near/above the CMC under standard aqueous conditions; it increases with concentration. Expect some spread across methods/buffers.

· Micelle size/shape:

SANS and MD studies show non-spherical (prolate/ellipsoidal) micelles; this geometry persists close to the CMC (~0.025 M). This matters for protein-detergent complex (PDC) size and SEC behavior.

· Temperature behavior:

OG is often highlighted for no pronounced clouding over a broad T-range (unlike many ethoxylates).

· Tips: 

Commercial OG can contain UV-absorbing/ionic impurities that bind to proteins; high-grade, purified OG (or repurify) is recommended for structural or biophysical work.

How these properties map to practice

Extraction & solubilization

· What OG does well: Above the CMC, OG efficiently solubilizes membranes and many integral proteins while keeping them in small micelles—useful when you want robust solubilization but also need to remove the detergent smoothly later. Typical extraction buffers use 0.5–2% (w/v) OG; for very lipid-rich membranes, labs often go toward the higher end and step down after capture.

· Examples: OG has been used across enzymes, transporters and receptors; it was a mainstay in early rhodopsin reconstitution work and in many PC-bilayer solubilization/reconstitution studies.

Reconstitution (liposomes, nanodiscs)

· Why OG is favored here: its high CMC means dialysis or dilution drops OG concentration below CMC quickly, so micelles fall apart and proteins re-embed into liposomes or assemble into nanodiscs with fewer kinetic traps than low-CMC detergents. Hydrophobic adsorbents (e.g., Bio-Beads) also work rapidly with OG.

Stabilization

· Strength: OG is non-ionic with a sugar headgroup, so it’s gentler than ionic detergents (e.g., SDS) and many ethoxylates; numerous proteins remain functional for the time windows needed for purification and reconstitution.

· TIPS: Compared with maltosides (e.g., DDM D100662, N475300), OG can be less stabilizing over days-to-weeks; OG is a good choice when you need easy removal for reconstitution or crystallization screens. Choose based on stability vs. removability trade-off.

Typical working patterns & tips

· Keep above CMC for solubilization. 

For reliable micelles, run ≥ 2–3× CMC (e.g., 0.5–1% OG).

· Reconstitution by dialysis/dilution. 

Start around 1% OG with your lipid/protein mixture; dialyze or dilute to < CMC (~0.5%) to trigger bilayer formation and protein insertion. Adsorbents can accelerate removal.

· Buffer effects are real. 

Ionic strength and additives shift both CMC and micelle dimensions; if your assay is sensitive, measure CMC in your exact buffer (T, salt, pH).

Reference:

1. Anatrace. n-Octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (OG) Technical Data Sheet. Provides CMC values in water and saline, aggregation number estimates, micelle mass, and usage notes.

2. Thermo Scientific. Octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside Property Sheet. Lists CMC (~23–25 mM), aggregation number (~27), and micelle molecular weight (~8 kDa).

3. López, O., Cócera, M., Parra, J. L., & de la Maza, A. (1990). Thermodynamic and hydrodynamic properties of n-octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside micelles. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 137(1), 52–59. Reports micelle MW (~25 kDa), Rh (~2.35 nm), and aggregation number (~87).

4. Vincent, M., et al. (1997). Partitioning of n-octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside into phospholipid bilayers studied by ITC and ²H-NMR. Biophysical Journal, 73(1), 53–63. Explains OG insertion into bilayers and solubilization thermodynamics.

5. Helenius, A., & Simons, K. (1975). Solubilization of membranes by detergents. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – Reviews on Biomembranes, 415(1), 29–79. Classic reference introducing OG in membrane solubilization/reconstitution studies.

6. Rigaud, J. L., & Lévy, D. (2003). Reconstitution of membrane proteins into liposomes. Methods in Enzymology, 372, 65–86. Details OG use in reconstitution protocols and detergent removal strategies (dialysis, Bio-Beads).

7. Popot, J.-L., & Engelman, D. M. (2000). Detergent solubilization of membranes: the three-stage model. Biochemistry, 39(13), 3533–3555. Framework for understanding how detergents like OG interact with lipid bilayers during solubilization.

8. Hjelmeland, L. M. (1980). Solubilization of membrane proteins by nonionic detergents: the role of hydrophile–lipophile balance. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 255(12), 5976–5982. Discusses OG and related glucosides in terms of HLB and protein compatibility.

Aladdin: https://www.aladdinsci.com/