A Guide to APC Pure's Methylene Blue Solutions

Introduction

Methylene Blue is a deep blue, water-soluble dye used across biology, chemistry, and educational laboratories. Known for its striking colour and redox activity, it plays an important role in staining, indicator reactions, and diagnostic testing. APC Pure supply several grades and formulations of methylene blue, allowing customers to select the most suitable type for teaching, analytical, or specialist use.

What is Methylene Blue?

Methylene blue is a heterocyclic aromatic compound belonging to the thiazine family. In appearance, it forms dark blue crystals or powder that dissolve readily in water to produce a bright, intense blue solution.

In laboratories, methylene blue acts as both a biological stain and a redox indicator. In staining, it helps visualise cell structures such as nuclei and bacteria under the microscope. In redox reactions, it shifts colour depending on oxidation state blue when oxidised and colourless when reduced. Its stability and clarity make it a reliable dye for teaching, microbiology, and analytical chemistry.

Methylene Blue Products from APC Pure

Methylene Blue (Loeffler)

APC Pure’s Methylene Blue (Loeffler) is a ready-to-use biological stain commonly applied in microbiology for demonstrating bacterial morphology and cellular detail. It is based on Loeffler’s classic formulation, which contains methylene blue dye in a mild alkaline solution to improve contrast and definition. This preparation is ideal for quick differential staining of bacteria such as Corynebacterium diphtheriae and other Gram-variable species. Laboratories and teaching environments value it for its clear staining performance and ease of use straight from the bottle.

Methylene Blue 1% Solution

The 1% solution is a general-purpose laboratory stain used widely in educational and teaching laboratories. Its moderate concentration produces controlled, even colouration suitable for examining plant and animal cells, as well as simple bacterial preparations. It is often chosen for GCSE and A-Level biology experiments where reliable results and minimal preparation are needed.

Methylene Blue 4% Solution

APC Pure’s 4% solution offers a stronger staining concentration for more intense or specialised work. This higher strength is useful when clearer visualisation of cell walls or nuclear material is required, or when working with thicker specimens that absorb less dye. It can also be diluted further to create custom concentrations depending on application needs.

Methylene Blue BP73, ACS, C.I. 52015

The BP73, ACS grade methylene blue is a high-purity crystalline powder that conforms to both British Pharmacopoeia (BP) and American Chemical Society (ACS) specifications. It is intended for analytical and research purposes where precision and consistency are essential. Because it is supplied as a pure dye, it can be dissolved or diluted to prepare custom staining or analytical solutions at specific concentrations. This grade is used by laboratories that require full control over formulation strength and quality.

Methylene Blue Trihydrate USP39, C.I. 52015

Methylene Blue Trihydrate USP39 is a pharmaceutical-grade crystalline form meeting United States Pharmacopeia (USP) 39 standards. The trihydrate form ensures chemical stability and accurate molecular weight, which is valuable for analytical, pharmaceutical, or biochemical work. It is chosen by laboratories needing reliable purity for reference or controlled research use.

For further information on chemical grades and pharmaceutical standards, read our blog Understanding Chemical Grades: ACS, BP, FCC and More.

Safety and Storage

Methylene Blue should be handled with care, following normal laboratory safety practices. Protective gloves and safety glasses, are recommended when preparing or using solutions.

Store all methylene blue products in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep containers tightly closed to prevent contamination and degradation.

How much should I take?

We manufacture and supply specialist solutions but are not medically trained. If you're considering ingestion, please consult a medical professional before purchase. We supply only, responsibility for use lies with the customer.

Conclusion

APC Pure supply multiple grades and concentrations from general-purpose solutions to analytical and pharmaceutical-grade powders ensuring users can find the right option for every setting.