Phenol red is a pH indicator frequently used in cell biology laboratories.
Phenol red, 40 μM: colors in cell culture medium at a pH range from 6.0 to 8.0.
A commercial test kit for swimming pools with phenol red and an orthotolidine indicator solution
A pH indicator is a halochromic chemical compound added in small amounts to a solution so the pH (acidity or basicity) of the solution can be determined visually or spectroscopically by changes in absorption and/or emission properties. Hence, a pH indicator is a chemical detector for hydronium ions (H3O+) or hydrogen ions (H+) in the Arrhenius model.
pH measurement with indicator paper
Hydrangea in acid soil
Hydrangea in alkaline soil
A gradient of red cabbage extract pH indicator from acidic solution on the left to basic on the right