Ethidium Bromide

• Ethidium bromide is used to visualize DNA in agarose gels and in many cesium chloride gradient protocols. 
• Ethidium bromide is a toxic chemical and a mutagen. It causes eye and skin irritation.
• Wear gloves at all times and wash contaminated skin with water. 
• May be stored indefinitely in a lightproof container at room temperature
• Ethidium Bromide Appearance: Red to purple powder
• Molecular formula: C21H20N3Br
• Molecular weight: 394.3
• Melting point: 255-266°C with decomposition

Ethidium Bromide Solution use

• Ethidium bromide is commonly used nucleic acid stain for gel electrophoresis.
• As a stain to visualize U937 cells to assess cell viability
• Use to detect polymerase chain reaction products
• In agarose gel electrophoresis based gel retardation assa.

Components for Ethidium Bromide Solution

The following components are required to prepare 1L of Ethidium Bromide Solution

Component	Amount	Concentration
Ethidium bromide (mw: 394.31 g/mol)	10 g	0.0254 M

Ethidium Bromide Solution Preparation

1. Prepare 800 mL of distilled water in a suitable container.
2. Add 10 g of Ethidium bromide to the solution.
3. Add distilled water until volume is 1 L.
4. Stir on a magnetic stirrer for several hours to ensure that the dye has dissolved. Wrap the container in aluminum foil or transfer the 10 mg/mL solution to a dark bottle and store at room temperature.

References 

• “Ethidium Bromide Solution Preparation.” AAT Bioquest, Inc, 26 May. 2021, https://www.aatbio.com/resources/buffer-preparations-and-recipes/ethidium-bromide.
• https://www.bio-rad.com/webroot/web/pdf/lsr/literature/4006020b.pdf
• https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/content/dam/sigma-aldrich/docs/Sigma/Product_Information_Sheet/e1385pis.pdf
• https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/product/sigma/e1510?lang=en&region=IN