Open AccessErythrosin B: a versatile colorimetric and fluorescent vital dye for bacteria
Author(s) -
Josef D. Franke,
Ann L Braverman,
Alison M Cunningham,
Erin E Eberhard,
Greg A. Perry
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
biotechniques/biotechniques
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.617
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1940-9818
pISSN - 0736-6205
DOI - 10.2144/btn-2019-0066
Subject(s) - bacteria , fluorescence , oxazines , vital stain , colorimetry , viability assay , biology , chemistry , biochemistry , bacterial cell structure , chromatography , staining , cell , organic chemistry , genetics , physics , quantum mechanics
Rapidly assaying cell viability for diverse bacteria species is not always straightforward. In eukaryotes, cell viability is often determined using colorimetric dyes; however, such dyes have not been identified for bacteria. We screened different dyes and found that erythrosin B (EB), a visibly red dye with fluorescent properties, functions as a vital dye for many Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. EB worked at a similar concentration for all bacteria studied and incubations were as short as 5 min. Given EB's spectral properties, diverse experimental approaches are possible to rapidly visualize and/or quantitate dead bacterial cells in a population. As the first broadly applicable colorimetric viability dye for bacteria, EB provides a cost-effective alternative for researchers in academia and industry.