Sudan Black B

Sudan Black B is primarily used for staining of neutral triglycerides and lipids. Also a histochemical stain for chromosomes, Golgi apparatus, and leucocyte granules. It has the appearance of a dark brown to black powder with maximum absorption at 596-605 nm and it stains blue-black. Sudan dyes are a group of lipid soluble solvent dyes often called lysochromes, in structural classification they are diazo dyes. Sudan Black B is not as lipid-specific as some of the other Sudan dyes and may be useful to stain other materials. It is useful for detecting fats that are contaminated with oil and grease. Sudan black B is used in the study of haematological disorders as it will stain myeloblasts, but not lymphoblasts. The dye can also stain materials ionically; in this case some background staining is to be expected, and interpretation of sections stained with it must take this into account.