CHAPS , also known as ((3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio)-1-propanesulfonate, is a zwitterionic surfactant primarily used to solubilize membrane proteins and other macromolecules.

Oftentimes, mild detergents are used in cell lysis applications by interfering with membrane interactions.

When in salt, CHAPS tends to behave as a weakly charged cation; however, in water or buffer, it behaves as a nonionic surfactant.

Studies have shown that when CHAPs is combined with Triton X-100 and sarkosyl, binding efficiency of GST and GST fusion proteins to glutathione (GSH) Sepharose is significantly increased.

It can be removed from gels and protein solutions by dialysis across a membrane.