text: QR has many uses as a fluorescent probe. The use of QR as a probe is relatively safe, inexpensive, and a sensitive method compared with other fluorescence probes like ethidium bromide or dimeric cyanine dyes. QR is also an ideal fluorescent probe because substrates of interest, such as antibodies, can be detected within a 0.3nM detection limit without the use of radiolabeled or fluorescently labeled oligonucleotides, which are the DNA components. In other words, quinaldine red is preferred tag since its binding increases the fluorescence without extra tags being needed.
  The dye's ability to bind to proteins makes it a great tag. Once bound to a protein, fluorescent signals are emitted which allow the strength of QR binding to the protein to be determined. Using this technique allows for many dynamic interactions to be understood. Another variation to detecting the QR probes is by measuring the fluorescence via a spectrofluorometer. This allows the concentration of the QR-substance (could be a protein or nucleic acids) to be measured. This also indirectly allows the binding ability of QR to the substance to be measured. Using this technique gives an emission wavelength of 520/160 nm.
  QR's ability to bind to substrates and fluoresce can be further utilized to determine the location of a substrate with the use of Raman spectroscopy and the electronic absorption spectra. For example, when a cell is not energized, a cell will not take up QR. When a cell is energized, aggregations of red substrate can be found within a cell, and this can be detected with Raman spectroscopy
  In addition to being used as a fluorescent probe, QR can also be used as an agent in bleaching. When exposed to intensive rays such as X-rays, gamma rays, and electron beams, the dye is able to photobleach a substance. In the case of dental bleaching, a laser is the source of intensive rays. QR is dissolved in a mixture of water, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, glycerol, and other solvents and is placed on the teeth. In the presence of oxygen, the QR and carrier particles solution uses its sensitivity to light energy to ultimately bleach teeth, making them whiter.
  Quinaldine red is also used as an indicator in experiments. In an assay for inorganic and organic phosphates, QR proved to be a better indicator due to a low blank and its color stability. When being used as an indicator, a color change is involved in order to indicate a change in the pH. For example, in a solution containing inorganic phosphate and ammonium molybdate in sulfuric acid, a reaction could occur where the two substances react forming a phosphomolybdate complex ion, or no reaction could occur. In this case, if pale pink mixture of quinaldine red turns to a colorless solution, this indicates the presence of a free phosphate. If the solution turns a dark red, that indicates the phosphomolybdate complex ion has formed. By using QR as an indicator in this manner, enzymatic activities can be monitored.