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Updated: Aug 22, 2026

Testing of Nanoparticle Release from a Composite Containing Nanomaterial Using a Chamber System
Published on: November 22, 2016
The alamar blue assay in the context of safety testing of nanomaterials
Eleonora Marta Longhin1, Naouale El Yamani1, Elise Rundén-Pran1
1Health Effects Laboratory, Department for Environmental Chemistry, NILU-Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Kjeller, Norway.
Abstract:
The Alamar Blue (AB) assay is widely used to investigate cytotoxicity, cell proliferation and cellular metabolic activity within different fields of toxicology. The use of the assay with nanomaterials (NMs) entails specific aspects including the potential interference of NMs with the test. The procedure of the AB assay applied for testing NMs is described in detail and step-by-step, from NM preparation, cell exposure, inclusion of interference controls, to the analysis and interpretation of the results. Provided that the proper procedure is followed, and relevant controls are included, the AB assay is a reliable and high throughput test to evaluate the cytotoxicity/proliferation/metabolic response of cells exposed to NMs.

