Dichlorofluorescein Explained

Dichlorofluorescein (DCF) is an organic dye of the fluorescein family, being substituted at the 2 and 7 positions by chloride.

It is used as an indicator for argentometry by Fajans method.^{[1] [2]}

When used as an indicator, upon reaching the equivalence point of a titration reaction the color shifts from colorless towards a faint pink.

It is also used in the cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) assay. Dichlorofluorescin (DCFH) is a probe that is trapped within cells and is easily oxidized to fluorescent dichlorofluorescein (DCF). The method measures the ability of compounds to prevent the formation of DCF by 2,2'-Azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (ABAP)-generated peroxyl radicals in human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells.^[3] By itself, dichlorofluorescin (DCFH) also quantifies intracellular hydrogen peroxide as well as cellular oxidative stress.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Kolthoff . I. M. . Lauer . W. M. . Sunde . C. J. . Journal of the American Chemical Society . 51 . 3273 . 1929 . 10.1021/ja01386a014 . The Use of Dichlorofluorescein as an Adsorption Indicator for the Argentometric Titration of Chlorides . 11.
2. Bambach . Karl . Rider . T. H. . Volumetric Determinations of Halides: Use of Dichlorofluorescein as an Adsorption Indicator . Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Analytical Edition . 7 . 165 . 1935 . 10.1021/ac50095a012 . 3.
3. Wolfe . K. L. . Liu . R. H. . 10.1021/jf0715166 . Cellular Antioxidant Activity (CAA) Assay for Assessing Antioxidants, Foods, and Dietary Supplements . Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry . 55 . 22 . 8896–8907 . 2007 . 17902627.
4. LeBel . C. P. . Ischiropoulos . Harry . Bondy . S. C. . 10.1021/tx00026a012 . Evaluation of the probe 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin as an indicator of reactive oxygen species formation and oxidative stress . Chem. Res. Toxicol. . 5 . 2 . 227–231 . 1992 . 1322737 .