What color do cerobrosides turn when stained with Nile blue sulfate?

Cerobrosides, which are a type of glycosphingolipid found in the nervous system, display a distinctive staining reaction when treated with Nile blue sulfate. This dye is particularly useful in identifying and visualizing the presence of cerobrosides due to their specific lipid composition.

When stained with Nile blue sulfate, cerobrosides typically exhibit a light blue coloration. This response is attributed to the interaction between the sulfate group of the dye and the hydroxyl groups in the cerobrosides, leading to the characteristic light blue staining. This specific reaction makes Nile blue sulfate an essential tool in histopathology for studying neural tissues and related cellular structures, allowing for a clearer identification and differentiation of cellular components under the microscope. As such, recognizing this coloration is crucial for accurately interpreting histopathological slides.