Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science, Vol s3-103, 47-56, Copyright © 1962 by Company of Biologists

The Uptake of Dyes by Extracted Phospholipids and Cerebrosides

¹ The Cytological Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University Museum, Oxford

It was found that basic dyes were without exception taken up by lecithin, cephalin, and sphingomyelin, while the typical acid dyes were not taken up by any of the phospholipids. However, the weakly acidic dyes aurantia, eosin Y, eosin SS, and erythrosin were taken up by all phospholipids, although to a smaller extent than the basic dyes.

Basic dyes were taken up by cerebrosides, but to a smaller extent than by the phospholipids. The basic metachromatic dyes gave a strongly metachromatic reaction with cerebrosides. None of the acid dyes tried was taken up by cerebroside.

The direct observation that basic dyes were taken up less strongly by cerebrosides than by phospholipids was confirmed by spectrophotometric readings.

Basic dyes were found to be insoluble in olive oil, with the exception of Bismarck brown, neutral red, acridine orange, Nile blue, and chrysoidine. The acid dyes tried were without exception insoluble in olive oil.

Oleic acid took up all basic dyes and some acid dyes.

It is suggested that a chemical reaction is at least in part responsible for the uptake of basic dyes by conjugated lipids.