Carbotrace
Carbotrace 480 is our blue fluorescent optotracer molecule for labeling glucans and some hemicelluloses. Generally, labeling is strongest with homopolymers compared to highly branched polysaccharides. Optotracers are structure-responsive molecules which display a unique spectral signature when binding to a target structure. Therefore, depending on the sample composition, it is possible to determine the purity of cellulose in the sample.
Specifically, Carbotrace 480 has been used to optimize a sustainable extraction method for cellulose hydrogels derived from microalgae. Contact us to learn more about applications for Carbotrace 480.
Exmax | Emmax | Recommended filter-sets | |
---|---|---|---|
Carbotrace 480 | 420 nm | 480 nm | DAPI |
Carbotrace 480 is available as a 1 mg/ml solution in volumes ranging from 10 - 200 µL (see volumes and prices in the list below). As our standard solvent, we use ultrapure water. Please contact us for custom options.
Carbotrace 520 is our green fluorescent optotracer molecule for labeling glucans and some hemicelluloses. Generally, labeling is strongest with homopolymers compared to highly branched polysaccharides. Optotracers are structure-responsive molecules which display a unique spectral signature when binding to a target structure. Therefore, depending on the sample composition, it is possible to determine the purity of cellulose in the sample. Contact us to learn more about applications for Carbotrace 520.
Exmax | Emmax | Recommended filter-sets | |
---|---|---|---|
Carbotrace 520 | 460 nm | 520 nm | FITC, GFP |
Carbotrace 520 is available as a 1 mg/ml solution in volumes ranging from 10 - 200 µL (see volumes and prices in the list below). As our standard solvent, we use ultrapure water. Please contact us for custom options.
Carbotrace 540 is our yellow fluorescent optotracer molecule for labeling glucans and some hemicelluloses. Generally, labeling is strongest with homopolymers compared to highly branched polysaccharides. Optotracers are structure-responsive molecules which display a unique spectral signature when binding to a target structure. Therefore, depending on the sample composition, it is possible to determine the purity of cellulose in the sample.
Specifically, Carbotrace 540 has been used to determine the purity of cellulose extracted from macroalgae by allowing analysis of extracted carbohydrates in their polymeric state. In addition, Carbotrace 540 has shown to bind to the hemicellulose xyloglucan. Contact us to learn more about applications for Carbotrace 540.
Exmax | Emmax | Recommended filter-sets | |
---|---|---|---|
Carbotrace 540 | 480 nm | 540 nm | FITC, GFP, YFP |
Carbotrace 540 is available as a 1 mg/ml solution in volumes ranging from 10 - 200 µL (see volumes and prices in the list below). As our standard solvent, we use ultrapure water. Please contact us for custom options.
Carbotrace 630 is our orange fluorescent optotracer molecule for labeling glucans and some hemicelluloses. Generally, labeling is strongest with homopolymers compared to highly branched polysaccharides. Optotracers are structure-responsive molecules which display a unique spectral signature when binding to a target structure. Therefore, depending on the sample composition, it is possible to determine the purity of cellulose in the sample. Contact us to learn more about applications for Carbotrace 630.
Exmax | Emmax | Recommended filter-sets | |
---|---|---|---|
Carbotrace 630 | 520 nm | 630 nm | PI, Cy3, TxRed, mCherry, Cy3.5 |
Carbotrace 630 is available as a 1 mg/ml solution in volumes ranging from 10 - 200 µL (see volumes and prices in the list below). As our standard solvent, we use ultrapure water. Please contact us for custom options.
Carbotrace 680 is our red fluorescent optotracer molecule for labeling glucans and some hemicelluloses. Generally, labeling is strongest with homopolymers compared to highly branched polysaccharides. Optotracers are structure-responsive molecules which display a unique spectral signature when binding to a target structure. Therefore, depending on the sample composition, it is possible to determine the purity of cellulose in the sample.
Specifically, Carbotrace 680 has been used to image cellulose and starch components in plant cells and differentiate between those components using multi-laser/multi-detector analysis with confocal microscopy. Using a fluorescence spectrophotometer to acquire excitation and emission spectra, a unique spectral signature allows to differentiate between α(1-3), α(1-4), α(1-6), β(1-3), β(1-4) and β(1-6) linked glucans. As such, it labels cell wall components such as Cellulose, Chitin, Laminarin and the hemicellulose xyloglucan. Further, Carbotrace 680 has been used to determine relative carbohydrate content and elasticity of cell walls in plant material. Contact us to learn more about applications for Carbotrace 680.
Exmax | Emmax | Recommended filter-sets | |
---|---|---|---|
Carbotrace 680 | 530 nm | 680 nm | PI, mCherry, Cy3.5 |
Carbotrace 680 is available as a 1 mg/ml solution in volumes ranging from 10 - 200 µL (see volumes and prices in the list below). As our standard solvent, we use ultrapure water (MilliQ). We also provide Carbotrace 680 dissolved in DMSO Please contact us for custom options.
Carbotrace Mix&Try Kit is our recommended option for starting out with using our fluorescent optotracers. It contains a sample volume (10 µL) of each variant. Testing each variant will allow you to determine which Carbotrace is best suited for your experiments and available instruments.
All Carbotrace variants label glucans and some hemicelluloses. Generally, labeling is strongest with homopolymers compared to highly branched polysaccharides. The optotracers are structure-responsive molecules which display a unique spectral signature when binding to a target structure. Therefore, depending on the sample composition, it is possible to determine the purity of cellulose in the sample. Contact us to learn more about Carbotrace applications.
Exmax | Emmax | Recommended filter-sets | |
---|---|---|---|
Carbotrace 480 | 420 nm | 480 nm | DAPI |
Carbotrace 520 | 460 nm | 520 nm | FITC, GFP |
Carbotrace 540 | 480 nm | 540 nm | FITC, GFP, YFP |
Carbotrace 630 | 520 nm | 630 nm | PI, Cy3, TxRed, mCherry, Cy3.5 |
Carbotrace 680 | 530 nm | 680 nm | PI, mCherry, Cy3.5 |
Carbotrace are optotracer molecules providing means for anatomical mapping of carbohydrate structures in plants and for non-destructive composition analysis of polysaccharides in bio-based materials and biofuels.
The optotracing technology has been developed by a team of researchers at Karolinska Institutet (KI), Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) and Linköping University in Sweden and is a result of many years of cutting-edge nanoscience and organic chemistry research. Optotracing has been defined by the researchers as the use of structure-responsive fluorescent molecules which become highly fluorescent when binding and exhibit unique spectral signatures dependent on the structure of their binding partner. The unique combination of fluorescence and the target-specific signal can be used to clearly identify biomolecules in various types of materials.
Carbotrace optotracers are designed for anatomical mapping of carbohydrate structures in plants and for non-destructive composition analysis of polysaccharides in bio-based materials and biofuels. The structure-responsive optotracer Carbotrace differentiates between different types of glycosidic linkages in carbohydrates. The products are available in aliquots of 50 µl, 100 µl, 150 µl or 200 µl (all delivered in 50 µl vials).
Spectral Imaging
Identification of Cellulose and Starch Structures in Potato
- prepare freshly sliced potato (1 mm)
- dilute Carbotrace 680 1:1000 in PBS (pH 7.4)
- immerse potatoes in diluted Carbotrace 680 for ca. 30 min
- wash with PBS
- mount on microscope slide
- image with the following excitation/emission settings: Ex: 405 nm Em: 430–450 nm, Ex: 473 nm Em: 490–540 nm, Ex: 535 nm Em: 575–620 nm and Ex: 635 nm Em: 655–755 nm or acquire spectra with a plate reader or spectral microscope.

Quick Facts
Carbotrace optotracers are:

- Provided as 1 mg/ml solution in volumes of 50 µl, 100 µl, 150 µl and 200 µl and as a Mix&Try Kit with 5x10 µl
- Fast
- Simple and easy to handle
- Photo- and thermostable
- Non-toxic
- Accurate
Storage
- Store Carbotrace at 4°C.
- Use the opened vial within 12 month.
Note
- Carbotrace is for research use only.
- Carbotrace is not for diagnostic use or use in humans.
- Carbotrace is not for resale.
Protocol I: Anatomical mapping of cellulose in plant tissues using Carbotrace 680
This protocol describes a non-destructive method of anatomical mapping of cellulose structures in plant tissues.
Solutions and Reagents:
Carbotrace 680 is provided as concentrated solution. The following common reagents are required (not supplied):
- Phosphate buffered saline (PBS), pH 7.4
Assay Procedure:
- Prepare thin sections of plant tissue.
- Dilute Carbotrace 680 in PBS 1:1000.
- Apply diluted Carbotrace™ generously on the plant tissue. Use enough liquid (ca 0.5 ml) to prevent the sections from drying out during incubation. Incubate for 30 min.
- Wash 2 x 5 min in PBS.
- Mount sections for microscopic analysis.
Fluorescence Microscopy:
- Carbotrace 680: Excite at 535 nm and detect emission using a 575-620 nm bandpass filter. Excitation at 635 nm and detection using a 655-755 nm bandpass filter is also possible. Alternatively, you can use the standard settings for AlexaFluor™635. The broad optical spectrum allows custom settings to be applied, using an excitation range of 530-565 nm and a detection range of 600-800 nm.
Download Protocol
Protocol I: Anatomical mapping of cellulose in plant tissues using Carbotrace 680
Protocol II: Measurement of cellulose content in a sample using Carbotrace 680
This protocol describes how to use Carbotrace 680 to determine cellulose content in a sample.
Solutions and Reagents:
Carbotrace 680 is provided as concentrated solution. The following common reagents are required (not supplied):
- Phosphate buffered saline (PBS), pH 7.4
- 96-well plate (round bottom)
- Spectrophotometer
Assay Procedure:
- Prepare a dilution series of your cellulose containing sample im PBS (e.g.: 1, 1:2, 1:5, 1:10, 1:100, 0)
- Dilute Carbotrace 680 in PBS 1:500.
- Add 50 µl of each cellulose containing dilution into a well of a 96-well plate.
- Add 50 µl diluted Carbotrace 680 to each cellulose containing dilution and the blank control.
- Measure emission using spectrophotometer settings (see 'Spectrophotometer Settings' below).
Spectrophotometer Settings:
- Carbotrace 680: Excite at 540 nm and collect emission at 680 nm. Optional: Record an emission spectrum (560 - 800 nm) with 540 nm excitation.
Download Protocol
Protocol II: Measurement of cellulose content in a sample using Carbotrace 680
Terms & Conditions
For detailed information on Terms & Conditions, please click the link below.
Privacy Policy
To read more how we handle personal information, please click the link below.
Support
If you have any questions related to our products or services, please contact us.