Neutral red (C.I. 50040) (toluidin red or basic red) is a dye that can be used in general staining. In addition, it is also a vital dye to visualize living cells. In animal cells, it is endocytosed and transported into lysosomes. It is also transported into macrophage granules and plant cell vacuoles. It stains nuclei and lysosomes in red. Neutral red is commonly used in cytotoxicity experiments, since only living cells take the dye, but not dead or dying cells. Neutral red can also be used as a pH indicator because changes from red to yellow at pH 6.8 to 8.
Procedure
0.5 g neutral red (C.I. 50040)
A few drops of glacial acetic acid
100 ml distilled water
Notes
About 1 to 5 min of staining.
Products
Neutral red (C.I. 50040)
Glacial acetic acid
Distilled water
Labware
Test tube
Balance
Magnetic stirrer
Flasks
Bottles