The water-excluding polymers such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) can tie up water molecules and force less soluble components out of solution. Hence, samples are incubated with a precipitation solution containing PEG, thus the precipitate containing exosomes is isolated by means of either low-speed centrifugation or filtration. This method is easy to use and does not require any specialized equipment.

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EXOSOME ISOLATION KITS (PEG)

The PEG method (Polyethylene Glycol Precipitation) for isolating extracellular vesicles (EVs) has several advantages:

Simplicity:

The PEG method is a relatively simple separation technique. It involves mixing a polyethylene glycol solution with the sample, precipitating the EVs, followed by centrifugation to obtain an enriched EV pellet.

No High-Speed Centrifugation Required:

Unlike some other EV isolation methods, the PEG method typically does not require the use of high-speed centrifugation steps, avoiding excessive force that might damage the EVs during separation.

High Yield:

The PEG method can generate a relatively high yield of EVs in a short amount of time, making it suitable for experiments or applications requiring a large quantity of EVs.

Versatility:

The PEG method is applicable across various sample types, including cell culture supernatants, plasma, and urine, providing versatility in EV isolation.

Cost-Effective:

PEG is a relatively inexpensive reagent, contributing to the cost-effectiveness of using the PEG method for EV isolation.

Reduced Complexity:

PEG precipitation is generally associated with lower complexity compared to some other EV isolation methods, making it accessible to researchers with varying levels of expertise.

Biofluid

Possible Contaminants/Co-isolated with EVs

Primary EV Source

Plasma
  • Proteins
  • Lipoproteins
  • Protein Aggregates
  • Erythrocytes
  • Platelets
  • NK Cells
Urine
  • Tamm-Horsfall Protein (THP)
  • Salt
  • Urea
  • Metabolites
  • Kidneys
  • Bladder
  • Prostate
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
  • Enzymes
  • Neurotransmitters
  • Ions (Na+, Mg2+, Cl-)
  • Neurons
  • Gila