Auramine O is a diarylmethane fluorescent dye, which is yellow needle crystal under normal conditions. It is very soluble in water and ethanol. Auramine O can be used for acid fast bacteria (e.g. Mycobacterium) in a method similar to acid fast staining. It is also used as a fluorescent version of Schiff reagent. In the auramine rhodamine staining method, it is used together with Rhodamine B to stain Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It can also be used as a preservative.