What does NBT mean in LABORATORY

Nitro-Blue Tetrazolium (NBT) is a soluble tetrazolium salt that can be used to detect hydrogen peroxide in biochemical reactions. It can also be used to detect cellular oxidase activity, measure metabolic rates, or as a histochemical stain.

Nitro-Blue Tetrazolium is primarily used in scientific research for the detection of cellular oxidase activity and to measure metabolic rates, as well as for histochemical staining.

Yes, Nitro-Blue Tetrazolium is generally considered safe and non-toxic to use in research studies. The main safety concern associated with its use involves contact with skin or ingestion of concentrated solutions, which should be avoided.

When measuring metabolic rates using NBT, the complexes formed between the hydrogen peroxide and NBT are converted by oxidase enzymes into a formazan dye which can then be measured spectrophotometrically. This allows scientists to accurately quantify the rate at which certain metabolisms occur within cells or tissues.

In addition to Nitro-Blue Tetrazolium, other compounds such as phenazine methosulfate (PMS) and 3,3’-diaminobenxidine tetrahydrochloride (DAB) can also be used to study cells or tissue metabolism. These compounds interact with hydrogen peroxide produced by enzymes during certain metabolic processes producing different colored dyes that can then be measured spectrophotometrically.

Yes, some potential drawbacks associated with using NBT are that it may interfere with certain enzyme reactions and may not give accurate results if there are high levels of background activity present from other components of the biological sample being studied. Additionally, since it has poor water solubility it may cause precipitation when concentrations greater than 0.125M are present in solution.

While primarily utilized for research purposes, Nitro Blue Tetrazolium has been suggested for use as an adjunct chemotherapeutic agent due its ability to induce apoptosis (cell death) when administered systemically into animals or locally into tumors. Research involving this application is still ongoing however due to its relatively low toxicity compared to other chemotherapeutic agents it holds promise for future medical applications.

Nitro Blue Tetrazolium should always be stored in tightly sealed containers at a temperature between 4°C - 8°C away from direct sunlight and moisture sources.