Oil Red O Staining Solution

Oil Red O is an azo lipid soluble dye. When lipids (such as lipid droplets and triglycerides) in the sample come into contact with Oil Red O dye, the dye molecules enter the interior of the lipids through physical diffusion and form non covalent bonds with the lipid molecules, resulting in a distinct red color of the lipids. Oil red O has selectivity in binding to lipids, especially with high affinity for neutral fats, but weak binding to polar lipids such as phospholipids. Therefore, it can stain lipid droplets but not biofilms.