Nile Red is a synthetic fluorescent phenoxazone dye best known for its ability to selectively stain lipids and other hydrophobic structures. Because it is highly lipophilic, the dye readily accumulates in intracellular lipid droplets, neutral lipids, phospholipids, and biological membranes. In contrast to many other fluorescent dyes, it only becomes brightly fluorescent in a non-polar, lipid-rich environment and is non-fluorescent in water. This environment-sensitive behavior enables researchers to distinguish lipid-containing structures with better contrast.
It has been widely used in fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry to visualize and quantify cellular lipids and is valuable in studies on lipid metabolism, lipid storage, and lipid-related diseases. It has also been used to stain SDS polyacrylamide gels, lysosomes, and organelles of the lysosome system in specialized laboratory applications. It is also used as a dye to detect and quantify microplastics in environmental samples by binding to many plastic particles and allowing their visualization using fluorescence imaging techniques, in addition to biomedical research. It is a reliable fluorescent stain for cell biology, biotechnology, environment & materials research, due to its sensitivity, stability, and selective affinity for lipids.
CAS No. : 7385-67-3Â
Synonyms: Nile Blue A Oxazone
| Physical Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C20H18N2O2 |
| IUPAC Name | 9-(diethylamino)benzo[a]phenoxazin-5-one  |
| Molecular weight | 318.38Â g/mol |
| Solubility | Methanol |
| Insoluble | Insoluble in water |
| Appearance | Dark green to brownish crystalline powder |
| Storage | Store at Room Temperature |
| Chemical Properties | |
| Color | Brown to very dark red |
| Physical state (20 °C) | Solid |
| Melting Point | 203-205 °C |
| λmax | 531 nm |
| Pictograms : |  |
| Hazard Statements : | H315: Causes skin irritation. |
| Precautionary statements : | P261: Avoid breathing dust/fumes. |
Nile Red is a synthetic fluorescent phenoxazone dye best known for its ability to selectively stain lipids and other hydrophobic structures. Because it is highly lipophilic, the dye readily accumulates in intracellular lipid droplets, neutral lipids, phospholipids, and biological membranes. In contrast to many other fluorescent dyes, it only becomes brightly fluorescent in a non-polar, lipid-rich environment and is non-fluorescent in water. This environment-sensitive behavior enables researchers to distinguish lipid-containing structures with better contrast.
It has been widely used in fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry to visualize and quantify cellular lipids and is valuable in studies on lipid metabolism, lipid storage, and lipid-related diseases. It has also been used to stain SDS polyacrylamide gels, lysosomes, and organelles of the lysosome system in specialized laboratory applications. It is also used as a dye to detect and quantify microplastics in environmental samples by binding to many plastic particles and allowing their visualization using fluorescence imaging techniques, in addition to biomedical research. It is a reliable fluorescent stain for cell biology, biotechnology, environment & materials research, due to its sensitivity, stability, and selective affinity for lipids.
CAS No. : 7385-67-3Â
Synonyms: Nile Blue A Oxazone
| Physical Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C20H18N2O2 |
| IUPAC Name | 9-(diethylamino)benzo[a]phenoxazin-5-one  |
| Molecular weight | 318.38Â g/mol |
| Solubility | Methanol |
| Insoluble | Insoluble in water |
| Appearance | Dark green to brownish crystalline powder |
| Storage | Store at Room Temperature |
| Chemical Properties | |
| Color | Brown to very dark red |
| Physical state (20 °C) | Solid |
| Melting Point | 203-205 °C |
| λmax | 531 nm |
| Pictograms : | |
| Hazard Statements : | H315: Causes skin irritation. |
| Precautionary statements : | P261: Avoid breathing dust/fumes. |
Nile Red is primarily used for the staining of lipids, lipid droplets, and biological membranes. It is also employed by scientists in the preparation of fluorescent microscopy specimens, bioimaging, and microplastic detection in environmental samples.
Nile red is considered a lipophilic dye due to it is fat soluble and naturally binds to lipids and other hydrophobic materials. This enables it to selectively highlight lipid-rich areas while leaving surrounding structures mostly unaffected.
Nile red is used to measure and identify microplastics in drinking water, liquid waste, and other environmental samples because it readily stains various types of plastic particles.
Nile Red has bright fluorescence and high affinity for lipids, which makes it a popular choice for fluorescence microscopy, where it provides clear, high-contrast images of lipid-containing structures.
Nile Red is valuable in research because it selectively stains lipids and responds to changes in its surrounding environment. This unique combination gives researchers the ability to view and analyze lipids with high sensitivity, while minimizing background interference.
