Introduction: How to Make Fluorescein From Highlighter Markers
The above video demonstrates how to extract the chemical fluorescein from highlighter markers using no other chemical besides common rubbing alcohol. As is demonstrated in the video, fluorescein is spectacular to watch dissolve into water, especially under black light. Below is a list of other excellent videos that feature fluorescein.
Dr. Nozman's demonstrations (subtitled in English):
http://youtu.be/iQlE1dKJmy4
http://youtu.be/BRBc3C6R-DA
HouseHoldHacker:
http://youtu.be/s8dctujbP2s
NurdRage (An excellent tutorial to make Fluorescein in the lab):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihssISvNL3o
In addition to the above videos here are several links describing the process by which Fluorescein is used to detect trace amounts of blood:
http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/fluoresceinmethod.html
http://www.latent-prints.com/fluorescein2.htm
Participated in the
Weekend Projects Contest
Be the First to Share
Recommendations
Game Design: Student Design Challenge
For the Home Contest
Make It Bridge
30 Comments
9 years ago
Can this be done with other highlighter colors or just yellow ones?
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Only yellow ones will have fluorescein, but other colors may also use somewhat interesting dyes.
Reply 7 years ago
What are controlled variables in this experiment??
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
What dyes exactly are contained in other highlighter colors?
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
How does the red/green fluorescein get used in yellow highlighters?
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
It changes colors depending on the concentration and the angle that it's looked at in certain lighting. If you have a test tube of the concentrated liquid one side will look yellow, the other red as you hold it up to a light. It's weird stuff.
9 years ago on Introduction
so since you said the Fluorescein is nontoxic, does that mean i can mix it in a drink to make it glow under a blacklight?
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
It's non toxic, but from what I've read it does make you nauseous if you ingest it. There also might be some other chemicals in a highlighter that might not be as safe. To make drinks glow, mix them with club soda. It will glow blue under black light.
Reply 7 years ago
Do you mean "Tonic Water"?
Or is it the same thing?
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
could I glow if I drank it?
8 years ago on Introduction
This is my science project I'm using!
9 years ago on Introduction
How long will it last? Like if I put it in a bowl of water, will it begin to fade after a few days?
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
It will last several weeks at minimum.
9 years ago on Introduction
Tia
9 years ago on Introduction
Just a tip, if you want to obtain fluorescein powder, you can use the following steps:
1. obtain a flat glass surface, pour the flourescein on it in batches small enough that the surface tensoin keeps it together.
2. Use a hairdryer on highest heat at the lowest speed. watch out that you dont hold the hairdryer to close because je might blow the solution everywhere.
3. keep this up untill the fluorescein dries up and sticks to the glass.
4. use a flat metal, glass or plastic object like a razor or old credit card to scrape all the fluorescein off the glass and collect it in airtight pot.
A glass surface is not a must, but the powder is a lot easier to see. So you wont get fluorescein anywhere you don't want it.
Nice tutorial btw, had no idea markers contained that much of the stuff.
9 years ago on Introduction
Make not "mark"
9 years ago on Introduction
Would this florescence with an AC component around it? Meaning could you mark an electroluminescent wire or plate using capacitance?
9 years ago on Introduction
highlighters have never been more interesting
9 years ago on Introduction
awesome I will no longer see highlite markers the same way!
9 years ago on Introduction
Would be cool if there were a reasonably diy reaction to conjugate this to amino acids for some diybio /in situ/ hybridizations (assuming you can also get oligonucleoties synthesized somewhere...)