*Cytotoxicity and Cell Viability Assessment of Biomaterials DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.111822*

assessing cell viability and metabolic activity in a wide range of applications, from drug discovery and toxicology studies to basic cell biology research. Its sensitivity, speed, and adaptability make it a popular choice among researchers in various fields of biomedical science. However, the limitations of the ATP assay, such as assay interference and extracellular ATP contamination, should be carefully considered when interpreting results and selecting the most appropriate method for a specific research question or experimental condition. The evaluation of biomaterials' cytocompatibility can be performed through a variety of cytotoxicity tests, as demonstrated in **Table 1**.



#### **Table 1.**

*Cytotoxicity assays as part of the cytocompatibility assessment of biomaterials.*

#### **4.10 Sulforhodamine B assay**

The Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay is a colorimetric method used for measuring cell viability, proliferation, and cytotoxicity. It has been widely employed to evaluate the efficacy of anticancer agents and to determine the cytotoxic effects of various substances on cell cultures [37]. The SRB assay is based on the ability of the protein-binding dye, sulforhodamine B, to interact with the basic amino acid residues of cellular proteins under mild acidic conditions. Upon fixation, the dye binds to the proteins in the cells, and the amount of bound dye is proportional to the cell mass or protein content [38]. One of the advantages of the SRB assay is its sensitivity and accuracy, as well as its low cost compared to other cell viability assays. Additionally, the SRB assay is relatively simple and can be performed in a high-throughput manner, making it suitable for large-scale screening studies. Furthermore, the SRB assay is compatible with various cell types, including adherent and suspension cells, and does not require cell lysis or radioactive reagents [39].

However, the SRB assay has some limitations. For instance, the assay may not be suitable for measuring cell viability in certain situations, such as when cells produce high amounts of extracellular matrix, which can interfere with the dye binding to intracellular proteins. Additionally, the SRB assay is not a direct measure of cell number, and it relies on the assumption that protein content is proportional to the number of viable cells. Therefore, factors that affect protein synthesis or degradation may influence the results of the assay [39].
