Estimation of Cell Number Based on Metabolic Activity: The MTT Reduction Assay

Abstract

The MTT reduction assay is used to determine the level of metabolic activity in eukaryotic cells, ­including animal, plant, and fungal cells. If the metabolic rate is constant, the technique can be employed to count living cells in a sample. Once it is set up, the method is very robust, and can be automatized to be applied on a large number of samples.