Alizarin Red S

Calcium forms an alizarin Red S- calcium complex in a chelation process. Alizarin red S can react with calcium via its sulfonic acid and /or its OH groups to give bright red color. It also acts as a pH indicator. Alizarin red S staining has been used to evaluate calcium rich deposits in cultured cells. The dye can be extracted from the stained monolayers. Calcium deposits in osteogenic differentiated mesenchymal stem cells can be visualized by alizarin red S staining. Counterstain of donated corneas after trypan blue staining. As a growth marker in live calcified tissues such as teeth.