Janus Green B is a stain that interacts with DNA and has been used for histology studies including mitochondrial staining, in which its oxidation and reduction reveals alterations to the electron transfer chain. The stain has been utilized in studies for effective and rapid staining of insect chordotonal organs and peripheral nerves, where the nerves appear dark blue in comparison to non stained tissue. With the use of Janus Green B, rabbit lymphatic vessel studies demonstrate that threadlike structures within the lymphatic vessels, known as Bonghan ducts, contain a high density of mitochondria in their cells.
As dye for cotton, wool; as biological stain; in electrodeposition of copper, Brown, Fellows, US 2882209 (1959 to Udylite Res. Corp.).
ChEBI: Janus Green B chloride is an organic chloride salt. It has a role as a dye. It contains a Janus Green B cation.
Poison by
intraperitoneal and intravenous routes.
Moderately toxic by ingestion, skin contact,
subcutaneous, and intramuscular routes.
Human systemic effects by inhalation:
nausea or vomiting. A skin and severe eye
irritant. Flammable liquid when exposed to
heat or flame; can react with oxidizing
materials. To fight fire, use alcohol foam,
CO2, dry chemical. When heated to
decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx.
See also AMINES.
The dye dissolves in H2O to give a bluish violet solution which becomes colourless when made 10M in NaOH. It dissolves in EtOH to give a blue-violet colour, filter from insoluble material, then add dry Et2O whereby the dye separates out leaving a small amount of blue colour in solution. Filter off the solid and dry it in a vacuum. Store it in a dark bottle. [Colour Index Vol 4, 3rd edn, 4015 1971.]
