(1) A substance used typically to reduce disulfide bonds between cysteine residues in proteins.

(2) The most disgusting odor producing substance known to man. It will make you yearn for the smell of urine after a plate of asparagus.
"Mary mother of God, did a rat die in the wall?" "No, I'm just prepping my PAGE samples and I'm using mercaptoethanol."
by Pdjackso April 30, 2007
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