FITC-Labeled Polylactide (FITC-PLA)
Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) covalently attached to a polylactide backbone — a ready-to-use fluorescent tracer for visualizing biodegradable polymers in nanoparticle tracking, drug-delivery imaging, and tissue-engineering research. Available on three polylactide stereochemistries: PLLA, PDLA, and PDLLA.
How FITC labeling works?
FITC (CAS 27072-45-3) reacts with a free amine or hydroxyl end group on the polylactide chain, forming a stable thiourea linkage. The result is a polymer that fluoresces under standard FITC excitation while retaining the base polymer's degradation behavior.
01
Conjugation
FITC’s isothiocyanate group reacts with an amine-functionalized polylactide end group, forming a covalent, non-leaching label.
02
Purification
Unbound, free FITC is removed by dialysis or precipitation so fluorescence signal reflects labeled polymer only, not background dye.
01
Verification
Labeling degree and residual free-dye content are checked by UV-Vis absorbance and GPC before a batch ships.
Which stereochemistry should I choose?
PLLA, PDLA, and PDLLA share the same lactic acid chemistry but differ in crystallinity — which determines how fast the FITC-labeled tracer degrades and how long its fluorescence signal persists in your experiment.
| Grade | Structure | Degradation | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| FITC-PLLA | Semi-crystalline, Tm ≈ 170–180 °C | Slow — months | Long-term implant/scaffold tracking, sustained in vivo imaging |
| FITC-PDLA | Semi-crystalline, mirror-image of PLLA | Slow — months | Stereocomplex PLA studies, PLLA/PDLA blend tracking |
| FITC-PDLLA | Amorphous, no melting point | Fast — days to weeks | Nanoparticle/microsphere biodistribution, short-term cell uptake studies |
Choose your grade
Each page has its own molecular weight grades, labeling-degree options, and technical documents.
Fluorescent-tagged Poly(L-lactide). Slower degradation and higher mechanical strength — suited to longer imaging timelines.
Best for: implants, scaffolds, long-term tracking
Fluorescent-tagged Poly(D-lactide). Mirror-image stereochemistry to PLLA — pairs with it to form stereocomplex PLA.
Fluorescent-tagged Poly(DL-lactide). Faster, more uniform degradation — suited to shorter experimental windows.
Best for: microspheres, nanoparticles, short-term imaging
Research applications
Nanoparticle tracking
Visualize uptake and biodistribution of PLA-based nanoparticles by confocal or fluorescence microscopy.
Drug-delivery imaging
Track microsphere or implant location and degradation alongside a co-encapsulated active ingredient.
Scaffold visualization
Confirm scaffold architecture and cell infiltration in tissue-engineering studies under fluorescence imaging.
Flow cytometry
Quantify cellular uptake of labeled particles using standard FITC detection channels.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
No. As a covalent conjugate of two starting materials, FITC-PLA doesn’t have one universal CAS Registry Number — it’s identified by catalog number and by the CAS numbers of its two components (FITC and the base polylactide). Each product page lists the relevant base-polymer CAS.
FITC-PLA follows standard FITC spectral properties — excitation around 495 nm, emission around 519 nm — compatible with the FITC/GFP channel on most fluorescence microscopes and flow cytometers.
The label sits at the chain end in small quantity and has minimal effect on bulk degradation kinetics — degradation is governed primarily by the base polymer’s crystallinity and molecular weight, same as the unlabeled grade.
Store sealed, desiccated, and protected from light at -20°C. Minimize freeze-thaw cycles and repeated light exposure once dissolved, as both accelerate signal loss.