Phenol Red sodium salt (Phenolsulfonephthalein sodium salt)

Cell experiment:

Phenol red is dissolved in 0.1% ethanol. To determine the effect of phenol red on cell proliferation, MCF-7 cells grown for 1 week before experiments in phenol red-free MEM supplemented are harvested and seeded into T-25 flasks (ca. 1.5 x 105 cells per flask). The following day, cells from three flasks are harvested and counted with a Coulter Counter. Then the medium is changed to phenol red- and insulin-free MEM, which contains various concentrations of dextran-coated charcoal-treated calf serum, phenol red (0-300 μM), tamoxifen, hydroxytamoxifen, estradiol, or ethanol vehicle (0.1%), and cell number is monitored as a function of time[1]. Phenol Red sodium salt is dissolved in distilled water as a 10 g/L stock solution[2].

References:

[1]. Berthois Y, et al. Phenol red in tissue culture media is a weak estrogen: implications concerning the study of estrogen-responsive cells in culture. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1986 Apr;83(8):2496-500.
[2]. Pick E, et al. A simple colorimetric method for the measurement of hydrogen peroxide produced by cells in culture. J Immunol Methods. 1980;38(1-2):161-70.