Mixing-sensitive chemical reactions conducted under controlled conditions can be used to qualitatively and quantitatively assess mixing in aqueous systems. These reactions are typically competitive reactions where the distribution of products is used to quantify mixing. This technique is valuable for studying both mixing and local energy dissipation in dispersed systems where the opacity of the suspension prevents the use of other techniques. However, correct interpretation of the test results requires that adsorption of reactants and product dyes on the dispersed phase be known. The adsorption of the reactants and product dyes formed in the mixing-sensitive azo coupling between mixtures of 1- and 2-naphthol and diazotized sulfanilic acid was measured in aqueous suspensions of nylon, polyethylene, fibreglass and kraft pulp fibres. The polyethylene fibre did not adsorb the reactants or product dyes. The nylon, fibreglass and kraft fibres adsorbed both reactants and product dyes, with adsorption described by Langmuir isotherms. Accounting for the adsorption of dye on the dispersed phase allowed correct interpretation of mixing in the aqueous phase of the dispersions. This technique is evaluated for mixing assessment in suspensions of nylon fibre and fully bleached kraft (FBK) pulp in a medium-intensity mixer.