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C0775

Sigma-Aldrich

Crystal Violet

Crystal Violet
1 of 1 reviewers received a sample product or took part in a promotion

Dye content, ≥90%, certified by the Biological Stain Commission, powder

Synonym(s):

Basic Violet 3, Gentian Violet, Hexamethylpararosaniline chloride, Methyl Violet 10B

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About This Item

Linear Formula:
C25H30N3Cl
CAS Number:
Molecular Weight:
407.98
Colour Index Number:
42555
Beilstein:
3580948
EC Number:
MDL number:
UNSPSC Code:
12171500
PubChem Substance ID:
NACRES:
NA.47
Pricing and availability is not currently available.

Product Name

Crystal Violet, certified by the Biological Stain Commission

grade

certified by the Biological Stain Commission

Quality Level

form

powder

composition

Dye content, ≥90%

technique(s)

microbe id | staining: suitable

color

green to very dark green

pH

2.5 — 3.5 (20 °C)

mp

205 °C (dec.) (lit.)

solubility

H2O: 1 mg/mL

density

1.19 g/cm3 at 20 °C

antibiotic activity spectrum

fungi

application(s)

diagnostic assay manufacturing
hematology
histology

Mode of action

cell membrane | interferes
enzyme | inhibits

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

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Application

Crystal violet is used as an active component, primary stain, of Gram stain for differentiation of Gram-negative versus Gram-positive bacteria.
It has been used to check cell viability.[1] It has also been used for the staining of cells to study cell migration and invasion.[2]

Biochem/physiol Actions

Crystal violet can be used for DNA visualization in agarose gels. The dye is used only in the presence of high concentrations of DNA.[3] Crystal violet is also used for the staining of bacteria in gram staining technique.[4] It is also used for the staining of plant chromosomes.[5] Crystal Violet also helps in colorimetric measurement of cell viability.[6]

Suitability

Certified for use with the Gram stain for bacteria, Flemming triple stain with iodine for chromosomes, Lieb′s amyloid stain and Newton′s crystal violet-iodine technique for chromatin and nucleoli.

Signal Word

Danger

Hazard Statements

Hazard Classifications

Acute Tox. 4 Oral - Aquatic Acute 1 - Aquatic Chronic 1 - Carc. 2 - Eye Dam. 1

Storage Class Code

11 - Combustible Solids

WGK

WGK 3

Flash Point(F)

Not applicable

Flash Point(C)

Not applicable


Regulatory Listings

Regulatory Listings are mainly provided for chemical products. Only limited information can be provided here for non-chemical products. No entry means none of the components are listed. It is the user’s obligation to ensure the safe and legal use of the product.

EU REACH Annex XVII (Restriction List)

CAS No.

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Certificates of Analysis (COA)

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Lipocalin 2 induces the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in stressed endometrial epithelial cells: possible correlation with endometriosis development in a mouse model.
Liao CJ, et al.
Reproduction (Cambridge, England), 147, 179-179 (2013)
A combined assay of cell viability and in vitro cytotoxicity with a highly water-soluble tetrazolium salt, neutral red and crystal violet.
Ishiyama M, et al.
Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 19, 1518-1518 (1996)
Vera van de Pol et al.
International journal of molecular sciences, 20(13) (2019-07-05)
Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), the most common congenital heart defect, is associated with an increased prevalence of aortic dilation, aortic rupture and aortic valve calcification. Endothelial cells (ECs) play a major role in vessel wall integrity. Little is known regarding
Carson S and Robertson D
Manipulation and Expression of Recombinant DNA (2005)
Ki Hyun Kim et al.
PLoS pathogens, 15(2), e1007375-e1007375 (2019-02-02)
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease localized to China, Japan, and Korea that is characterized by severe hemorrhage and a high fatality rate. Currently, no specific vaccine or treatment has been approved for this disease.

Questions

1–3 of 3 Questions  
  1. Can crystal violet or Giemsa be used to stain cells in a saliva/PBS suspension for the purpose of counting neutrophils/mL? What would be the best staining method for this purpose?

    1 answer
    1. Acridine orange is theoretically intended to stain viable cells, and if low intensity is observed, particularly when using a light microscope, it is likely true. However, for visualizing viable cells stained with acridine orange, a fluorescent microscope is routinely used. For simple neutrophil counting in saliva, acridine orange may not be the best choice due to cost considerations.

      While Giemsa solutions can be used, staining can be challenging, and often there are no published procedures for using Wright, Wright Giemsa, or Giemsa solution for counting neutrophils under a hemacytometer. The recommended product for this purpose is Crystal Violet or Turks/Tuerks solution, a simple solution of crystal violet dissolved in water. Acetic acid is sometimes added to the Turks solution to lyse red blood cells, but if the saliva is not bloody, adding acetic acid is unnecessary.

      Helpful?

  2. What is the allowed limit of Crystal Violet before it is considered toxic, carcinogenic, or hazardous?

    1 answer
    1. The most serious hazard listed in the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is Serious Eye Damage, along with short-term and long-term aquatic hazards. There is also a Category 2 hazard as a carcinogen. However, the risk can be reduced by purchasing prepared solutions instead of preparing them from powder to minimize the risk of inhaling the powder. There are no known safe exposure limits for Crystal Violet. The use of appropriate engineering controls, personal protective equipment, and body protection is recommended.

      Helpful?

  3. Can this be dissolved in ethanol or methanol 

    1 answer
    1. While Crystal Violet solutions used for staining often include ethanol or methanol, this product has not been tested for the direct solubility in either alcohol. This compound is readily soluble in water.

      Helpful?

Reviews

1 of 1 reviewers received a sample product or took part in a promotion

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