Skip to Content
Merck
All Photos(2)

Key Documents

V5265

Sigma-Aldrich

Crystal Violet Solution

1%, aqueous solution

Sign Into View Organizational & Contract Pricing

Select a Size

250 ML
R$435.00
500 ML
R$658.00

R$435.00


In StockDetails


Request a Bulk Order

Select a Size

Change View
250 ML
R$435.00
500 ML
R$658.00

About This Item

Empirical Formula (Hill Notation):
C25H30ClN3
CAS Number:
Molecular Weight:
407.98
Beilstein:
3580948
MDL number:
UNSPSC Code:
12171500
PubChem Substance ID:
NACRES:
NA.47

R$435.00


In StockDetails


Request a Bulk Order

form

aqueous solution

Quality Level

concentration

1%

technique(s)

microbe id | staining: suitable

color

deep violet, purple

Amax

0.36-0.44 at 589-594 nm

application(s)

diagnostic assay manufacturing
hematology
histology

storage temp.

room temp

SMILES string

[Cl-].CN(C)c1ccc(cc1)\C(c2ccc(cc2)N(C)C)=C3/C=C\C(C=C3)=[N+](/C)C

InChI

1S/C25H30N3.ClH/c1-26(2)22-13-7-19(8-14-22)25(20-9-15-23(16-10-20)27(3)4)21-11-17-24(18-12-21)28(5)6;/h7-18H,1-6H3;1H/q+1;/p-1

InChI key

ZXJXZNDDNMQXFV-UHFFFAOYSA-M

Looking for similar products? Visit Product Comparison Guide

General description

Crystal violet, also known as gentian violet or methyl violet, is the N-hexamethylated derivative of pararosaniline. It is a basic, cationic, acidotropic protein dye used in histological and bacteriological staining. It is well-known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties.[1]

It stains the fatty portions of sebaceous sweat a deep purple color. Crystal violet can also be used to enhance bloody fingerprints. This dye is harmful if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through skin, contact may cause cancer, severe eye irritation in human beings.[2]

Application

  • Crystal violet is commonly used in Gram staining for the classification of bacteria.[3]
  • It has also been used to detect bacterial adherence to biomedical polymers and to stain DNA in mammalian tissues in Giemsa staining.
  • It has been successfully used to develop a counterion-staining method to detect DNA in agarose gel electrophoresis.[4]
  • Its antimicrobial properties have facilitated its use in the treatment of oral candidiasis, skin infections, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.[1]
  • It has been used as a stain in cell proliferation assays, migration assays, and Boyden chamber assay.[5][6][7]
Crystal violet solution for use in Brown-Hopps method for Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial staining.[8]

Biochem/physiol Actions

The antimicrobial effects of crystal violet can be attributed to free radical generation and formation of unionized bacterial complexes with the dye. It has also been reported to inhibit protein synthesis and bacterial cell wall formation. It is especially effective against Gram-positive bacteria.[1]

Principle

Crystal violet is the primary stain in Gram staining. It infiltrates the peptidoglycan-rich cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria, and forms entrapped complexes with Gram′s iodine that retain the purple color post-decolorization. Thus, Gram-positive bacteria can be differentiated from Gram-negative bacteria whose peptidoglycan layer is considerably thinner.

Pictograms

Health hazardExclamation mark

Signal Word

Warning

Hazard Statements

Hazard Classifications

Aquatic Chronic 3 - Carc. 2 - Eye Irrit. 2

Storage Class Code

12 - Non Combustible Liquids

WGK

WGK 2

Flash Point(F)

Not applicable

Flash Point(C)

Not applicable


Choose from one of the most recent versions:

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Lot/Batch Number

Don't see the Right Version?

If you require a particular version, you can look up a specific certificate by the Lot or Batch number.

Already Own This Product?

Find documentation for the products that you have recently purchased in the Document Library.

Visit the Document Library

K Engbaek et al.
Journal of clinical pathology, 32(2), 187-190 (1979-02-01)
Five techniques for Gram staining bacteria in paraffin sections were compared on serial sections of pulmonary tissues from eight bacteriological necropsies. Brown and Hopp's method was the most satisfactory for distinguishing Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. However, this method cannot be
Characterization of potent and selective iodonium-class inhibitors of NADPH oxidases
Lu J, et al.
Biochemical Pharmacology, 43, 25-38 (2017)
Histological and histochemical methods: Theory and practice (5th ed.)
JA Kiernan
Histological and Histochemical Methods: Theory and Practice (2015)
Gentian Violet: a 19th century drug re-emerges in the 21st century
Alexander M. Maley, Jack L. Arbiser
Experimental Dermatology, 22(12) (2013)
Counterion-dye staining method for DNA in agarose gels using crystal violet and methyl orange
Yang, et al.
Electrophoresis, 22(5) (2001)

Related Content

An overview of the science and practice of bacteriology in clinical diagnostics. Learn more about the application of standard and special stains for microscopic analysis.

Questions

1–3 of 3 Questions  
  1. What does "generally known reaction partners of water" refer to in section 10.3 of the V5265 SDS? Additionally, in the SDS for a similar product, C6158, states that violent reactions are possible with strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, and oxidizing agents.

    1 answer
    1. Products with a high water content away from "the generally known reaction partners of water." This caution is due to water's potential to react violently with numerous substances, resulting in the development of gases and the ignition of released Hydrogen, posing a risk of explosion.
      Additionally, various substances or mixtures can explode upon the addition of a drop of water, with details of these reactions provided in the safety data sheets of the specific reaction partners. Substance groups that react violently with water include Alkaline earth metals, Alkaline metals, Aluminum alkalines, Metallic or Nonmetallic hydrides, Metallic or Nonmetallic oxides, Acid anhydrides, and Acid chlorides.

      Helpful?

  2. What solvent is the crystal violet diluted in? Can it be used for staining cells for colony formation assay directly or will fixation with methanol/ethanol be needed prior to the staining?

    1 answer
    1. This product is a 1% solution of Crystal Violet in water. For colony formation assays, it is more common to dissolve the crystal violet in a methanol-based solution. However, it is possible to fix the cells in methanol for 10-15 minutes prior to staining cells with an aqueous Crystal Violet Solution. Some sources recommend substituting absolute ethanol for methanol. Following fixation, the cells can be stained with aqueous Crystal Violet solution.

      Helpful?

  3. What is the shelf life / expiry of this solution?

    1 answer
    1. This product is not assigned an expiration date or recommended retest date. Products with no expiration date or recommended retest date should be routinely inspected by customers to ensure they perform as expected. These products are also subject to a one year warranty from the date of shipment. For more information you may access the "Product Dating Information" document under "ADDITIONAL USEFUL DOCUMENTS ABOUT OUR PRODUCTS" at the bottom of the Quality Services page with this link: https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/life-science/quality-and-regulatory-management/quality-services.

      Helpful?

Reviews

No rating value

Active Filters

Our team of scientists has experience in all areas of research including Life Science, Material Science, Chemical Synthesis, Chromatography, Analytical and many others.

Contact Technical Service