Trichloroacetic acid is an acetic acid analogue commonly used to precipitate proteins, DNA and RNA. In the presence of SDS Trichloroacetic acid will precipitate proteins which can then be quantified by the Lowry method. The compound has also found uses as a decalcifier and fixative in microscopy, in protein sequencing, detecting albumin and organic synthesis.
Applications
Trichloroacetic acid is used in protein precipitation; has been used to determine protein concentration by quantitative precipitation. It is also Used as a decalcifier and fixative in microscopy. A protocol for the precipitation of nucleic acids can be found in Molecular Cloning. Rats exposed to chronic sublethal amounts of trichloroacetic acid displayed an increase in serum bilirubin with a decrease in hematological proteins and cholesterols along with significant decreases in red blood corpuscles, mean cell volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, hemoglobin and hematocrit. In mice the production of liver tumors was associated to Trichloroacetic acid, which is also a known mouse hepatocarinogen. On the guinea pig trichloroacetic acid was observed to be a mild alergen on the skin.
Synonyms: Trichloroethanoic Acid, TCA, Aceto-caustin, Acide trichloracetique, Acido tricloroacetico, Dow sodium inhibited, Konesta, Trichloressigsaeure, VaritoxCAS Number 76-03-9
Molecular Formula: C2HCl3O2
Molecular Weight: 163.4
Beilstein Registry Number: 970119
EC Number: 200-927-2
MDL Number: MFCD00004177