Malachite greenis anorganic compoundthat is used as adyestuffand controversially as an antimicrobial inaquaculture. Malachite green is traditionally used as a dye for materials such assilk,leather, andpaper. Despite its name the dye is not prepared from themineralmalachite, and the name just comes from the similarity of color. Numerous niche applications exploit the intense color of Malachite green. It is used as abiological stainformicroscopicanalysis ofcell biologyandtissue samples. In 1992, Canadian authorities determined that eating fish contaminated with malachite green posed a significant health risk. Malachite green was classified a Class II Health Hazard.
