Triphenyltetrazolium Chloride as a Dye for Vital Tissues

Abstract

Work with triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TPTC) confirms the results of Lakon with seed corn and that of Kuhn and Jerchel with yeast. Many other viable materials will reduce TPTC at pH 6.9: the fleshy parts of apples, oranges, and grapes; the gill area of mushrooms; carrot roots, and white and sweet potatoes; young leaves; the stigmas and ovaries of certain pollinated flowers; bull sperm and the blastoderm of hen''s eggs. The use of TPTC has a distinct advantage over many indicators since it is one of the few organic compds. which is colored in the reduced state. Enzyme systems are responsible when the reduction reaction occurs in plant and animal materials. This reduction is probably caused by dehydrogenase systems requiring coenzymes I or II. The enzymes responsible for the reduction are present in a wide variety of living tissues.