[Histonet] Make of Toluidine blue solution

[John Kiernan]

The first solution (with borax) is alkaline,
so it will stain everything in the section.
This is usually what you want for thin sections
embedded in plastic.

The second solution (with acetic acid) is
acidic. If its pH is in the 3 to 4 range it
will stain DNA, RNA and acidic carbohydrates
(cartilage matrix, mast cells, some mucus etc).
This is often what's wanted for paraffin or
frozen sections.

The choice between staining solutions is based
on what you want to see.
-- 
-------------------------
John A. Kiernan
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
The University of Western Ontario
London,   Canada   N6A 5C1
   kiernan <@t> uwo.ca
   http://publish.uwo.ca/~jkiernan/
-------------------------

> Lina Vieira wrote:
> 
> Helo Everyone,
> 
> In our lab usually, we make the toluidine solution
> (for coloration of resin included tissue):
> 1g - Borax
> 1g  - Toluidine Blue
> 100 - ml water,
> 
> 1 minute - staining time
> 
> And because, now, I have another protocol for make
> the solution, I want ask you about the possibility to
> use this solution, and if is it necessary change the
> staining time?
> 
>  New protocol:
> 0.2 g - Toluidine Blue
> 0.5 - Acetic acid
> Complete, with desionized water, to 100 ml
> 
> 
> Tanks in advance
> 
> Lina Vieira
>