Fluorescence Phenomena of Nile Red
Understanding the Excitation and Emission Peaks
Nile Red is a fluorescent compound that exhibits a specific excitation peak at 559 nanometers (nm) and an emission peak at 635 nm. These peaks correspond to the wavelengths of light absorbed and emitted by the compound, respectively.
Fluorescence in Different Solvents
The fluorescence properties of Nile Red are influenced by the surrounding environment. In water and other polar solvents, it remains almost non-fluorescent. However, upon interaction with lipid droplets within cells, it undergoes fluorescence, emitting a bright yellow light.
This unique behavior makes Nile Red a valuable tool in cell biology for localizing and quantifying neutral lipids. It stains intracellular lipid droplets specifically, allowing visualization and analysis of lipid metabolism and storage.
Spectral Shifts and Lipophilicity
Nile Red is also known as Nile Blue Oxazone and possesses a lipophilic nature, meaning it has an affinity for fats and lipids. In polar solvents, its emission spectrum red-shifts, while in nonpolar environments, it blue-shifts.
应用
Due to its unique fluorescence properties, Nile Red has found diverse applications in research and diagnostics, including:
- Lipid droplet visualization and quantification in cells
- Visualization of lipid metabolism and storage
- Detection of lipid-containing vesicles and organelles
- Studies on lipid dynamics and transport
Spectral Studies in Films
Recently, researchers have investigated the spectral properties of Nile Red in films based on tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), heptaisobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS), and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). These studies provide insights into the behavior of Nile Red in different environments and may have implications for its use in various applications.
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