The Basis of the Determination of Cell Viability With the Fluorochrome Primuline

Abstract

The fluorochrome primuline has been shown, by the micromanipulation of individual stained yeast cells, to bea useful stain for the determination of cell viability.A high correlation (96%) between non-fluorescence and viability was demonstrated for cells taken from young cultures, but the correlation decreased with increasing age of the cell suspension. The correlation between fluorescence and non-viability was 100% for yeast cells taken from any environment. Cells which were stained green after primuline treatment were inferred to be non-viable but an absolute correlation between non-viability and the "green" reaction could not be demonstrated.The staining technique was tested with animal cells (Paramecia, Amoebae) and the correlation between fluorescence and non-viability was confirmed. The staining result with a mammalian cell line was not confirmed by cell culture.The primuline technique for viable cell counts was primarily dependent on the loss of the selective permeability of the plasma membrane.