A pitfall of the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5(3-carboxymethonyphenol)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay due to evaporation in wells on the edge of a 96 well plate

The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5(3-carboxymethonyphenol)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) calorimetric assay is replacing the traditional 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay as a fast, one-step assay of cell viability. We have observed that evaporation of the outer wells of a 96 well plate increases the absorbancy by 52% compared to the inner wells. Filling the outer 2 rows of wells with media and replacement of the media prior to addition of the MTS reagent will, however, correct this inaccuracy.