Oil Red O

• Solvent Red 27
• 1 - ( [4 - ( Xylylazo ) xylyl ] azo) -2-naphthol

Red solid

Fixed

120 ° C.

Soluble in water, sparingly soluble in ethanol

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Oil Red O is a fat-soluble, red coloring azo dye. It is primarily used in biochemistry for coloring in cells using triglycerides.

Properties

The fat-soluble substance has absorption maxima at a wavelength of 518 nm and at 359 nm, the inspection and analysis of the staining can be carried out by phase contrast microscopy.

Use

Oil Red O, among other things is used for the preparation of triglycerides in fixed cells. Furthermore, it can also be used for coloring of fixed paraffin- protein-bound lipids. It has the dyes Sudan III and Sudan IV largely obsolete in this area, as it significantly more intense red color the cells. Before use, the powder must be dissolved in isopropanol, heated and diluted with demineralized water and then filtered. Furthermore, the cells must be fixed prior to the application of the oil red O solution with formalin.

Safety

Oil Red O is not classified as hazardous under the GHS as well as Council Directive 67/548/EEC and is not subject to classification. However, the substance should not come into contact with strong oxidizing agents. Since formalin is used as a fixing are all steps that are correlated with this solution carried out under a fume hood.