Quirks of dye nomenclature. 3. Trypan blue

Abstract

Trypan blue is colorant from the 19^th century that has an association with Africa as a chemotherapeutic agent against protozoan (Trypanosomal) infections, which cause sleeping sickness. The dye still is used for staining biopsies, living cells and organisms, and it also has been used as a colorant for textiles.

Key words::

• azo dye
• history
• sleeping sickness
• trypan blue
• trypanosomiasis

Declaration of interest: The author reports no conflicts of interest. The author alone is responsible for the content and writing of this paper.