© 2026 Nanjing Finechem Holdings Co., Ltd,
All Right Reserved
Chemical Name: 3β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase
Common Function: Enzyme involved in steroidogenesis, key in converting pregnenolone to progesterone in steroid hormone biosynthesis
General Appearance: White to off-white lyophilized powder or crystalline solid, based on the source and preparation
Biological Source: Usually extracted from animal tissues or expressed recombinantly in microbial systems
Purity: Typically high for lab and research use, but trace proteins or stabilizers like BSA or glycerol sometimes present depending on formulation and supplier
Shelf Stability: Often kept frozen to maintain enzyme activity and prevent denaturation
GHS Classification: Not officially categorized as a hazardous substance under standard Globally Harmonized System guidelines if handled as research-use only material
Main Hazards: Inhalation of lyophilized powder or accidental inoculation can cause allergic or respiratory responses for some people
Acute Exposure Symptoms: Irritation of skin, eyes and mucosa, particularly if you have existing sensitivity to proteins or enzymes
Chronic Risks: No confirmed reports for chronic health impacts, but repeated lab exposure to proteins has left some with occupational asthma or dermatitis
Carcinogenicity: No published evidence linking this enzyme to cancer in humans or animals
Other Hazards: Proteinaceous nature makes it a sensitizer in rare cases; biosafety-1 or 2 recommended depending on expression system or source
Main Component: 3β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase protein, typically over 90% by mass
Buffer Components: Sodium phosphate, potassium chloride, sometimes with glycerol or sucrose for structural stability
Preservatives: May include low amounts of sodium azide
Impurities: Traces of host-cell proteins and nucleic acids possible if recombinant, otherwise trace animal proteins
Inhalation: Move away from exposure source, seek fresh air; persistent symptoms may prompt a healthcare visit
Skin Contact: Immediately rinse with soap and water to remove stuck protein; avoid scrubbing, seek care for rash or swelling
Eye Contact: Flush eyelids with clean water for several minutes; remove contacts if present
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water; only severe reactions like swelling or choking typically require emergency help
Medical Attention: Most accidents resolve without treatment, but healthcare professionals should know if the person is immunocompromised or sensitive to proteins
Flammability: Not considered flammable in powder or solution form
Suitable Extinguishing Agents: Use water, carbon dioxide, foam, or dry chemical extinguishers
Special Hazards: Combustion can produce toxic nitrogen oxides or carbon oxides if exposed to direct flames
Protection for Firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and chemical protective clothing to avoid inhalation of smoke or aerosolized protein
Special Procedures: Cool containers that might overheat by spraying with water from a safe distance
Personal Precautions: Use gloves, safety glasses, and lab coats; minimize dust formation during cleanup
Environmental Precautions: Prevent release to drains where microbial expression products might persist
Methods for Cleanup: Moisten powders gently for sweeping to avoid dust, wipe with damp cloth, and dispose in closed containers
Disposal of Cleanup Materials: Seal all wipes, used gloves, and disposable surfaces as contaminated laboratory waste
Handling: Avoid inhaling powders or aerosols, work in ventilated spaces or fume hoods; wear gloves, goggles, and lab coats; never pipette by mouth
Storage: Keep vial tightly closed, stored between -20°C and -80°C away from direct light to protect enzyme activity; avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
Incompatibilities: Contact with strong acids, bases, or oxidizing agents damages protein structure
Other Recommendations: Label storage vials clearly, restrict access to authorized personnel to reduce misconstrual as a non-biological chemical
Engineering Controls: Use biological safety cabinets or fume hoods if working with dry powder or preparing bulk dilutions
Personal Protective Equipment: Gloves (nitrile preferred for chemical protection), lab coat, safety goggles or face shield
Respiratory Protection: Dust mask or N95 recommended if powders handled outside containment
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly after handling, never eat or drink in working area; avoid touching face until gloves are removed
Environmental Controls: Limit effluent discharge and clean work areas to prevent allergic reactions in other lab users
Physical State: Lyophilized powder or aqueous solution
Color: White to off-white
Solubility: Readily soluble in water-based buffers, insoluble in organic solvents
Odor: Essentially none except mild protein scent at high concentrations
pH Range: Stable from 6.0 to 8.0 in common buffer systems
Melting or Denaturation Point: Functional denaturation often starts above 40°C
Other Physical Characteristics: Tends to foam if shaken too much in solution; generally non-volatile
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended cold storage conditions
Reactivity: Unstable in strong acids or bases or with oxidizing chemicals
Decomposition Products: Peptides, amino acids, possible traces of ammonia or nitrogen oxides under thermal decomposition
Risk of Polymerization: None
Other Notes: Repeated freeze-thaw cycles lower enzymatic activity; avoid mixing with substances with unknown compatibility
Routes of Entry: Mainly inhalation, skin, or eye contact; ingestion unlikely outside a lab accident
Acute Effects: Temporary irritation of eyes, skin, or airways can occur, especially for those with pre-existing allergies to proteins
Sensitization: Rare cases of protein allergy or asthma reported in lab workers regularly exposed to similar enzyme powders
Chronic Effects: No evidence for carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or organ-specific long-term effects
Other Risks: Accidental injection or open-wound contamination could provoke immune response; vast majority of users experience no harm
Environmental Fate: Proteins degrade by enzymatic or microbial processes in sewage and the environment
Bioaccumulation: Unlikely, as enzymes break down to amino acids rapidly
Toxicity to Aquatic Life: No evidence for direct toxicity at laboratory concentrations, but avoid large-scale disposal in waterways due to unknown long-term effects
Persistence: Only a brief period in natural water given most enzymes lose structure outside of controlled environments
Other Concerns: Recombinant proteins may persist longer, so treat as potentially bioactive waste
Waste Disposal: Treat as laboratory biohazard; collect in labeled containers and destroy via autoclave or high-temperature incineration if possible
Disposal Limitations: Avoid pouring down drains or landfill disposal without deactivation
National and Local Guidelines: Follow institutional or governmental biosafety and chemical waste procedures for biological material
Container Disposal: Ensure all vials or bottles are triple-rinsed, then discard as hazardous laboratory waste
Transport Category: Not defined as hazardous for transport if properly packaged and declared for research use
Packing Requirements: Secondary containment in shatter-proof boxes with gel ice or dry ice for temperature control
Spillage Protocols: Clean up using personal protective equipment and notify authorities if spill is uncontrolled in transit
Labeling: Clearly mark “Research Use Only – Biological Enzyme” to prevent confusion with chemical reagents
GHS/OSHA: Not controlled under standard hazardous substances frameworks; biosafety practices supersede
EU REACH: Exempt from registration for research and development
US TSCA: Not a regulated substance for lab-scale use
Other Directives: Local biosafety committee or institutional guidelines take precedence for genetically engineered or animal-derived materials
General Guidance: Use risk assessments and proper documentation for shipments, storage, use, and waste management
