Specialty violet dye
Gentian Violet is also known as Crystal Violet, Methyl Violet 10B, Basic Violet 3, and Methylrosanilinium Chloride. It is a synthetic cationic triphenylmethane dye with a long-established role in laboratory, technical, and selected regulated external-use applications.
Gentian Violet is also known as Crystal Violet, Methyl Violet 10B, Basic Violet 3, and Methylrosanilinium Chloride. It is a synthetic cationic triphenylmethane dye with a long-established role in laboratory, technical, and selected regulated external-use applications.
In laboratory practice, Gentian Violet is widely used as a biological and histological stain and as the primary purple stain in the Gram staining method for differentiating Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. It is also used as a dye colour under the designation Basic Violet 3.
Gentian Violet has a long history as a topical dye in selected regulated external-use contexts, subject to local requirements and product-specific formulation.
Common enquiry grades include Ph. Eur., USP, BP, BP1980 and Technical.
Supply context
BHM Chemicals is a supplier of high quality Gentian Violet in various grades suitable for regulated external-use, veterinary, laboratory, and technical applications.
Minimum order quantity: 10 kg
Gentian Violet is valued for its strong colouring power, well-established staining performance, and broad practical utility. Commercially, it is used where a reliable violet dye or stain is required, while in laboratory settings it remains one of the best-known classical staining agents. Its long history of use across multiple industries makes it a versatile specialty chemical with both technical and regulated application potential.
Gentian Violet is characterized by its intense violet colour and high affinity for biological material, making it highly effective in staining and visualization procedures. These properties are the basis of its long-standing use in microbiology, histology, and microscopy.
The substance is identified under multiple established names, including Gentian Violet, Crystal Violet, Basic Violet 3, and Methylrosanilinium Chloride, all linked to CAS No. 548-62-9. This wide synonym usage reflects its long commercial and pharmacopoeial history.
Gentian Violet has documented staining and formulation properties. These characteristics explain its established use in selected regulated external-use and veterinary formulation contexts.
Gentian Violet is used extensively in microbiology laboratories and analytical practice. Its best-known application is in the Gram staining method, where it functions as the primary stain in bacterial classification. It is also used for staining biological specimens and histological material.
In laboratory and research environments, Gentian Violet is used to visualize tissue and cellular structures. Its strong colour intensity and staining reliability make it suitable for microscopy and specimen preparation.
Gentian Violet has been used in selected topical dye preparations for external-use contexts, where regulatory status and formulation requirements must be assessed for the target market.
Gentian Violet is also used in veterinary practice, including selected topical preparations and other veterinary formulation contexts where product-specific requirements apply. It has also been described in fish-health and animal-health uses.
As Basic Violet 3, Gentian Violet is used as a specialty dye and pigment in technical applications including inks, paper, coatings, plastics, and related industrial materials. This supports its position as a true multi-purpose chemical available in multiple grades.
Gentian Violet should be used in accordance with the intended application, applicable specification, and local regulatory requirements. It is intended for controlled professional or product-specific use, and its use in regulated external-use or veterinary products should always follow the requirements applicable to the target market. IARC has classified Gentian Violet as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).
Gentian Violet remains an important specialty material with established use in laboratory staining, microbiology, histology, regulated preparations, veterinary products, and technical dye applications. Its strong staining properties, recognized dye performance, and broad commercial relevance make it a versatile product for manufacturers and laboratories requiring a reliable multi-purpose violet dye.
BHM Chemicals
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| CAS No. | [548-62-9] |
| Synonyms | Crystal Violet; Methylrosanilinium Chloride; Regulated external-use Gentian Violet; Basic Violet 3; CI42555; |
| Characteristics | Dark green, shiny powder, hygroscopic. Sparingly soluble in water, freely soluble in ethanol (96%) and in methylene chloride. |
| Assay | Minimum 96.0% |
| Identification | Conforms to BP1980 ID tests |
| Arsenic | Less than 4 ppm |
| Heavy Metals | Less than 20 ppm |
| Zinc | No turbidity or white precipitate is produced |
| Ethanol-insoluble matter | The residue weighs not more than 10mg |
| Loss on drying | Less than 9.0% |
| Sulphated ash | Less than 3.0% |
Full documentation is available on request. Product suitability should be assessed by the customer for the intended application.
Documentation and enquiry
info@bhm-chemicals.com - +48 (0) 519 702 757
Short answers to common B2B enquiry questions.
Yes. Send the product name, CAS number, grade or specification and we will review the B2B enquiry.
Include Gentian Violet, CAS number, required grade, quantity, destination market and documentation needs.
We can coordinate product specification and documentation where available for the specific requirement.
Professional customers from pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, feed, nutritional or broader chemical sectors may contact us.
The customer confirms suitability against the specification, documentation, regulatory requirements and intended application.