• Chemical structure of Orcein (Synthetic), CAS 1400-62-0, E1%1cm ≥300 (579–583 nm, MeOH) — phenoxazone-class histological dye (C.I. Natural Red 28) and reproducible synthetic equivalent of natural lichen-derived orcein used as a research-grade vital stain for elastic fibres in cardiovascular and pulmonary histology, aceto-orcein chromosome staining in plant cytogenetics, hepatic copper-binding protein research, and connective tissue methodology. Supplied by NorrChemica with DDP shipping. CoA and SDS.
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NorrChemica™

Orcein (Synthetic)

CAS 1400-62-0 E1%1cm ≥ 295 (MeOH, 579–583 nm)

Orcein (Synthetic) | CAS 1400-62-0 | E1%1cm ≥ 295 (MeOH, 579–583 nm)

Pack sizes & prices

Pack size Excl. VAT
1.0 g €31,79€31,79/g€39,90 incl. VAT
2.0 g €47,73€23,87/g€59,90 incl. VAT
5.0 g €78,88€15,78/g€99,00 incl. VAT
10 g €102,79€10,28/g€129,00 incl. VAT
25 g €182,47€7,30/g€229,00 incl. VAT

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Technical Specifications

CAS Number 1400-62-0
EC / EINECS Number 215-750-6
MDL Number MFCD00062310
SMILES CC1=CC(=CC(=C1NC2=C(C3=C(C=C2O)OC4=CC(=O)C(=NC5=C(C=C(C=C5C)O)O)C(=C43)C)C)O)O
InChI InChI=1S/C28H24N2O7/c1-11-5-15(31)7-17(33)25(11)29-27-13(3)23-21(9-19(27)35)37-22-10-20(36)28(14(4)24(22)23)30-26-12(2)6-16(32)8-18(26)34/h5-10,29,31-35H,1-4H3
InChIKey QFIIYGZAUXVPSZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PubChem CID 72685
Molecular Formula C₂₈H₂₄N₂O₇
Molecular Weight 500.5 g/mol
Solubility Variable by batch and pH. Practically insoluble to sparingly soluble in water; soluble in ethanol (0.1–4%)
Purity Synthetic. Drying loss: ≤25%. Absorbance (E1%1cm) ≥ 295 (MeOH, 579–584 nm).
Physical Form Reddish-brown powder
HS Code 3204.19
Shelf Life Retest period: 36 months from date of manufacture
Storage Conditions Store in a cool, dry place in a tightly sealed container

Product Description & Scientific Applications

Orcein is a phenoxazone dye, a mixture of amino- and hydroxyphenoxazone chromophores resolved chromatographically into fourteen components. Its natural form, orchil, is a lichen-derived purple dye used since the sixth century, and the synthetic dye supplied here is applied as a histological stain.

Elastic-tissue staining. Orcein is a long-established elastic-fibre stain. Applied from acidified alcohol in the Taenzer–Unna method, it stains elastic fibres selectively within the tissue section. Comparative dye trials implicate the aminophenoxazone chromophore in this elastin affinity.

Hepatitis B surface antigen. In Shikata's orcein method the dye demonstrates hepatitis B surface antigen as cytoplasmic inclusions in paraffin sections of liver, staining hepatocyte cytoplasm but not nuclei, including the ground-glass hepatocytes of carriers. The method is specific and inexpensive and develops the inclusions even in stored, formalin-fixed, or autolysed material, which has made it a routine histochemical stain for the antigen.

Copper-associated protein. The same Shikata method stains a copper-associated protein in hepatocyte cytoplasm in long-standing cholestatic liver disease. The orcein-positive granules are rich in protein and sulphydryl groups and co-localise with dedicated copper stains such as rubeanic acid, marking the accumulated copper-binding protein.

Chromosome counts and ploidy. Dissolved in acidified solution as aceto-orcein, the dye stains chromosomes in squash preparations, supporting rapid chromosome counts and ploidy determination.

Polytene chromosome banding. The same aceto-orcein stains the giant salivary-gland chromosomes of Drosophila, resolving the banding pattern that marks individual chromosome regions for cytogenetic mapping.

Plant genotoxicity testing. In the Allium cepa assay, aceto-orcein squashes of root-tip meristems reveal the mitotic index, chromosomal aberrations, and micronuclei that score the genotoxicity of test agents and environmental samples.

Pollen viability. The stain also marks mature pollen, separating viable grains from aborted ones in fertility and plant-breeding assessment.

Historical dye analysis. In its natural form the dye colours textiles, parchments and illuminated manuscripts, and once stood in for Tyrian purple. Conservation scientists identify it on such objects by HPLC-MS, the orcein marker profile also distinguishing the lichen species of origin.

Shipping Destinations

  • EU & UK: Priority delivery, 2–5 business days.
  • United States (DDP): 3–7 business days, duties and taxes prepaid.
  • EFTA Countries (DDP): 3–7 business days, duties and taxes prepaid.
  • Worldwide: 7–14 business days, selected locations.

Safety Information

Hazard Class None — not subject to transport regulations
Transport Category Not classified as dangerous goods for transport (ADR/IATA/IMDG)

Documentation

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