Nitrotetrazolium blue chloride CAS:298-83-9

Nitrotetrazolium blue chloride (NBT) is a commonly used dye in biological and biochemical assays. It is mainly used as a redox indicator to detect and visualize the presence of dehydrogenase enzymes in biological samples.

When NBT is reduced by dehydrogenase enzymes, it undergoes a color change from a pale yellow to a dark blue formazan precipitate. This transformation allows researchers to identify the activity and localization of dehydrogenase enzymes in various tissues and cells. Consequently, NBT is frequently used in diagnostic assays and immunohistochemical studies to assess cellular metabolic activity and enzyme functionality.

By measuring the intensity of the blue color formed, researchers can quantitatively analyze dehydrogenase enzyme activity, which is important in understanding cellular processes such as oxidative stress, cellular respiration, and the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids. This information is crucial in various fields, including biochemistry, cell biology, and clinical diagnostics.