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Key Documents

M9140

Sigma-Aldrich

Methylene blue

Dye content, ≥82%, certified by the Biological Stain Commission, powder

Synonym(s):

Basic Blue 9, 3,7-bis(Dimethylamino)phenazathionium chloride, Tetramethylthionine chloride

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About This Item

Empirical Formula (Hill Notation):
C16H18ClN3S · xH2O
CAS Number:
Molecular Weight:
319.85 (anhydrous basis)
Colour Index Number:
52015
Beilstein:
3599847
EC Number:
MDL number:
UNSPSC Code:
12171500
PubChem Substance ID:
NACRES:
NA.47

Product Name

Methylene blue, certified by the Biological Stain Commission

grade

certified by the Biological Stain Commission

Quality Level

form

powder

composition

Dye content, ≥82%

technique(s)

microbe id | staining: suitable

color

dark green

solubility

H2O: 4mg/4ml

application(s)

diagnostic assay manufacturing
hematology
histology

storage temp.

room temp

SMILES string

CN(C)C1=CC=C2C(SC(C3=N2)=CC(C=C3)=[N+](C)C)=C1.[H]O[H].[Cl-]

InChI

1S/C16H18N3S.ClH.H2O/c1-18(2)11-5-7-13-15(9-11)20-16-10-12(19(3)4)6-8-14(16)17-13;;/h5-10H,1-4H3;1H;1H2/q+1;;/p-1

InChI key

WQVSELLRAGBDLX-UHFFFAOYSA-M

Gene Information

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General description

Methylene blue is a compound that occurs as crystals or crystalline powder, having a bronze-like luster. It is soluble in water, chloroform and partially soluble in alcohol. It is a photoactive dye, which is a member of phenothiazine family.

Application

Methylene blue has been used:
  • to stain vaginal cells
  • for the preparation of protein aqueous ink
  • to evaluate cell survival by staining

Biochem/physiol Actions

Methylene blue is used as a bacteriologic stain or dye and indicator. It mediates the inactivation of enveloped viruses in plasma, when exposed to visible light. It is an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase and guanylate cyclase. It also plays a key role in medicine as an antimalarial agent, reducing agent in methemoglobinemia and inducer of apoptosis in cancer cells.

Suitability

Certified for use in Mallory′s phloxine-methylene blue stain; Levine & Black stain for bacteria in milk; Wright stain for blood smears.

Pictograms

Exclamation mark

Signal Word

Warning

Hazard Statements

Precautionary Statements

Hazard Classifications

Acute Tox. 4 Oral

Storage Class Code

11 - Combustible Solids

WGK

WGK 3

Flash Point(F)

Not applicable

Flash Point(C)

Not applicable

Personal Protective Equipment

dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves

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Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Lot/Batch Number

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  1. Which document(s) contains shelf-life or expiration date information for a given product?

    If available for a given product, the recommended re-test date or the expiration date can be found on the Certificate of Analysis.

  2. How do I get lot-specific information or a Certificate of Analysis?

    The lot specific COA document can be found by entering the lot number above under the "Documents" section.

  3. What is the solubility of Methylene blue, Product M9140?

    The product is soluble in water at 50 mg/mL, EGME at 60 mg/mL and ethanol at 70 mg/mL. EGME is an abbreviation for ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, also known as 2-methoxyethanol or methyl cellosolve.

  4. How can Methylene blue, Product M9140, be used?

    Probably its most important application is as an in vitro diagnostic bacteriology, cytology, hematology, and histology stain. Methylene Blue serves as a precursor to the Methylene Azures and as a component of the various Ramanowsky-type blood stains (Wright, Leishman, Giemsa and others). While pure Methylene Blue is not a good nuclear stain, it readily undergoes oxidative demethylation to form the various Methylene Azures, which are good nuclear stains.

  5. How is dye content determined for Methylene blue, Product M9140?

    Dye content is determined spectrophotometrically by noting the dye's absorbance peak, which is typically near 665 nm, or by calculating the ratio of the absorbances at 650 nm over 680 nm. (The dye exhibits smaller peaks at approximately 292 and 246 nm).

  6. How do I find price and availability?

    There are several ways to find pricing and availability for our products. Once you log onto our website, you will find the price and availability displayed on the product detail page. You can contact any of our Customer Sales and Service offices to receive a quote.  USA customers:  1-800-325-3010 or view local office numbers.

  7. What is the Department of Transportation shipping information for this product?

    Transportation information can be found in Section 14 of the product's (M)SDS.To access the shipping information for this material, use the link on the product detail page for the product. 

  8. My question is not addressed here, how can I contact Technical Service for assistance?

    Ask a Scientist here.

Methylene blue: revisited
Ginimuge PR and Jyothi SD
Journal of Anaesthesiology, Clinical Pharmacology, 26(4), 517-517 (2010)
RNA determinants of translational operator recognition by the DNA polymerases of bacteriophages T4 and RB69.
Petrov VM and Karam JD
Nucleic Acids Research, 30, 3341-3341 (2002)
Amniotic fluid stem cells prevent follicle atresia and rescue fertility of mice with premature ovarian failure induced by chemotherapy.
Xiao GY
PLoS ONE, 9, e106538-e106538 (2014)
Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook (2008)
Protein-based soft micro-optics fabricated by femtosecond laser direct writing
Sun YL, et al.
Light: Science & Applications, 3(1), e129-e129 (2014)

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