MTT 5 mg/mL solution recipe
The yellow reagent for MTT viability assays — living cells convert it to purple formazan. Add 1:10 to medium (0.5 mg/mL final).
🧮 Volume calculator
| Component | Amount | Final concentration (1X) |
|---|---|---|
| MTT (thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide) | 50 mg | 5 mg/mL |
| 1X PBS | to final volume |
Steps
- Dissolve in PBS (vortex).
- Filter-sterilise through 0.22 µm. Protect from light.
- Store aliquots at −20 °C (months) or 4 °C (weeks).
Good to know
- After 2–4 h at 37 °C, remove the medium, dissolve formazan in DMSO and read 570 nm (reference 630 nm).
- Discard solution that has turned green (contaminated or degraded).
FAQ
How does it differ from CCK-8?
CCK-8 (WST-8) forms a soluble product, so there is no solubilisation step and cells survive; MTT is cheaper but terminal.
This is a widely used standard composition. Amounts depend on the hydrate form and purity of your reagents — check the formula weight (FW) on the bottle and follow your institution's safety rules and the manufacturers' instructions.