Description
WST-1 — Water-Soluble Tetrazolium 1 (Tetrazolium Reagent for Cell Viability / Proliferation Assays)
Product Overview
WST-1 is a water-soluble tetrazolium salt reagent widely used for nonradioactive, colorimetric quantification of cell viability, proliferation, and cytotoxicity in cultured cells. Unlike insoluble tetrazolium reagents (e.g. MTT), WST-1 yields a water-soluble formazan product that can be directly measured, simplifying workflow and reducing handling steps.
GoldBio’s WST-1 is formulated and supplied as a high-quality reagent suitable for robust, reproducible assays in life science research.
Key Specifications
| Property |
Details |
| Synonym / Name |
WST-1 (Water-Soluble Tetrazolium Salt 1) |
| CAS Number |
150849-52-8
|
| Molecular Formula |
C₁₉H₁₁IN₅NaO₈S₂
|
| Molecular Weight |
651.34 g/mol
|
| Storage |
–20 °C (store frozen, protected from light)
|
| Physical Form |
Solid (powder) that is reconstituted into solution for use
|
Functional Highlights & Advantages
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Direct measurement without solubilization: Because the formazan product is water-soluble, there is no need for post-reaction solubilization or extraction steps, unlike MTT assays.
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High sensitivity and linear range: WST-1 assays often offer broader linear response and faster color development compared to conventional tetrazolium reagents like MTT.
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Lower cytotoxicity / minimal interference: Because it doesn’t require cell lysis or solvent-based solubilization, WST-1 is gentler on cells and better suited for longitudinal or multi-timepoint assays.
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Flexibility in read timing: Plates can often be returned to incubation and measured repeatedly, making the assay adaptable to multiple timepoints.
Suggested Applications & Usage Notes
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Cell viability / proliferation assays
Use WST-1 to estimate the number of live, metabolically active cells in culture by measuring mitochondrial (or cellular dehydrogenase) activity. Typically, more viable cells generate more formazan.
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Cytotoxicity / drug screening
Assess the effect of compounds, toxins, or treatments on cell survival by comparing treated vs. untreated wells. WST-1 gives a quantitative readout of metabolic impairment.
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Kinetic / time-course studies
Because the assay is non-destructive and color development is gradual, you can monitor viability changes over time (e.g. 0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h, etc.).
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Multi-well (96-well) format compatibility
WST-1 is optimized for microplate assays (e.g. 96-well) with minimal handling steps.
Protocol & Handling Tips
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Working dilution: A common recommendation is 1:10 dilution (e.g. 10 µL WST-1 into 100 µL culture medium) in a 96-well plate.
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Incubation period: Depending on cell type and density, incubation times range from 0.5 to 4 hours (some protocols extend further for weakly metabolizing cells).
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Absorbance measurement: Measure absorbance of the formazan dye at wavelengths between 420–480 nm, with ~440 nm often used as the peak. Use a reference wavelength above 600 nm if available.
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Blank control: Include wells containing culture medium + WST-1 but no cells, to correct for background absorbance (typical background ~0.1–0.2 OD units after 2 h)
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Light / temperature sensitivity: Protect from light, and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Thaw carefully and, if turbidity or precipitation occurs, warm gently (e.g. 37 °C) and mix.
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Normalization & optimization: Because cell type, density, medium, and incubation conditions all influence signal, preliminary optimization is often necessary (e.g. test multiple timepoints or reagent dilutions).
Safety & Regulatory Notes
This product is for research use only, and not for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
Handle in compliance with institutional safety protocols: use appropriate PPE (lab coat, gloves, eye protection), avoid inhalation or skin contact, and dispose of waste according to regulations.
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