Safranine is a dye used in a variety of applications, from textile coloring to biological staining. The correct spelling of the word is sa-fruh-neen, with the emphasis on the second syllable. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈsæfrəniːn/. The first syllable is pronounced as "saf," with the "a" sound like the "a" in "cat." The second syllable, "ruh," is pronounced with a short "u" sound, like the "u" in "cup." The final syllable, "neen," is pronounced with the "ee" sound like in "seen."
Safranine is a noun that refers to a red or brownish-red synthetic dye, often used as a biological stain, which can also be found in natural sources such as the saffron crocus flower. It is derived from the chemical compound phenazine, and has a chemical formula of C20H19ClN4. Safranine is known for its intense color, ranging from a deep red to a bright pink shade.
In the field of biology and histology, safranine finds extensive use as a stain to enhance the visualization of certain cellular components, particularly nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA, and cell structures like mitochondria. Its affinity for nucleic acids allows it to bind to their phosphate groups, resulting in staining these structures vividly under a microscope. Safranine is commonly used in techniques such as the Feulgen reaction, which specifically detects DNA in tissues.
Beyond its application in biological staining, safranine has also been employed in the textile industry as a dye, especially for wool and silk. Additionally, it is used in analytical chemistry as an indicator for the determination of nitrite ions in various solutions. Safranine has also found some use as an antimicrobial agent and has been investigated for its potential as a drug for the treatment of certain diseases.
Overall, safranine is a versatile dye with a vibrant red color, commonly used in biological staining techniques to enhance visualization of cellular components like nucleic acids, as well as having applications in the textile industry and analytical chemistry.
A base, C21H20N4, obtained from aniline, aniline pink, used as a stain in histology.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "Safranine" has its origins in the Persian language. It is derived from "za'faran", which means "saffron" in Persian. Saffron is a spice known for its bright red color, and "za'faran" refers specifically to the saffron plant. The name "Safranine" was given to a synthetic dye compound in the mid-19th century due to its resemblance to the color of saffron.