Calcofluor White stain (Fluorescent Brightener 28) is a fluorescent brightener widely used in life science research for the rapid visualization of β-linked polysaccharides, particularly chitin, cellulose, and other β-glucans. Upon non-covalent binding to these structural polysaccharides, the dye emits bright blue fluorescence under UV or violet excitation, making it a widely used fluorescent stain for fluorescence microscopy and confocal imaging. Although extensively employed for fungal cell wall staining, Calcofluor White is also used in plant biology, microbiology, cell wall research, and glycobiology to investigate cell wall architecture, morphogenesis, cytokinesis, and polysaccharide distribution. Because the dye binds multiple β-linked polysaccharides, it is highly sensitive but should not be considered specific for chitin or any single polysaccharide. Its rapid staining protocol and compatibility with fixed specimens, as well as appropriately optimized live fungal and plant samples, have established Calcofluor White as a standard fluorochrome for qualitative cell wall visualization in research laboratories.

Key Features

• High-Sensitivity Fluorescent Staining: Rapidly labels β-linked polysaccharides, including chitin, cellulose, and other β-glucans.

• High-Contrast Fluorescence: Produces bright blue fluorescence following UV or 405 nm excitation, enabling high-contrast fluorescence imaging.

• Versatile Imaging Compatibility: Compatible with widefield fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy, and appropriately optimized live-cell imaging experiments.

• Rapid Staining Protocol: Requires minimal sample preparation, allowing efficient qualitative visualization of cell wall polysaccharides.

• Broad Specimen Compatibility: Suitable for fungi, yeasts, plants, algae, oomycetes, and other specimens containing β-linked polysaccharides.

Typical Research Applications

• Fluorescent staining of fungal cell walls for studies of fungal morphology, growth, and differentiation.

• Analysis of yeast budding, septum formation, cytokinesis, and cell wall organization.

• Visualization of plant cell walls, cellulose-rich tissues, and cell wall architecture.

• Investigation of cell wall biosynthesis, remodeling, and the spatial distribution of β-linked polysaccharides.

• Fluorescence-based imaging in microbiology, mycology, plant biology, glycobiology, and cell wall research.