Nile Red (CAS 7385-67-3)

Nile Red, a fluorescent dye with the chemical structure C20H18N2O2, is primarily used in scientific research to stain intracellular lipid droplets, enabling the visualization of neutral lipids and phospholipids under fluorescence microscopy. The dye is highly lipophilic and non-polar, which allows it to easily integrate into lipid-rich environments within cells, where it exhibits strong fluorescence. The unique property of Nile Red is its solvatochromic behavior; it fluoresces intensely in hydrophobic environments but remains non-fluorescent in aqueous environments, making it an ideal tool for studying cellular lipid content and distribution. In research, Nile Red has been extensively utilized to investigate lipid accumulation in cells and has proven essential in studies related to lipid metabolism and storage diseases. It has also been adapted for use in environmental science, particularly in the detection and quantification of microplastics in water bodies, due to its ability to bind to plastic particles and fluoresce upon excitation. Additionally, Nile Red′s sensitivity and specificity for lipids have facilitated its use in flow cytometry to differentiate cell populations based on lipid content. This dye thus serves as a critical tool for researchers across multiple fields, including cellular biology, environmental science, and materials science, providing insights into lipid dynamics and environmental contamination.