Sodium phytate is known to function as a [PO4]3- storage depot and a precursor for other inositol phosphates and pyrophosphates. It is a potent chelator of divalent and trivalent cations in vitro.

Silver nitrate binds to selective amino acid residues under weakly acidic or neutral pH conditions making it suitable as a stain for identification of proteins.

Ponceau S (Acid Red 112) is the most commonly used stain for Western blotting binding with antibody-antigen, and stains the proteins on the membrane red.