[Histonet] Schiffs reagent viability test, qualitative

[Gayle Callis]

10 mls formaldehyde, I often use neutral buffered formalin and add a few 
drops of Schiffs reagent to this with a pasteur pipette. Use a clear glass 
beaker so you can see color development easily.  The Schiffs reacts 
with  the -aldehyde, and fresh, new Schiffs will turn a very bright 
dark,  red-pink color VERY rapidly.

I suggest you try this with fresh newly opened reagent to see what color 
you get - this will help you calibrate your eye to the color that develops.

One caveat:  do NOT pour used Schiffs back into the Stock solution 
bottle,  we store used Schiffs that is contaminated with water carryover 
from slides (dilution factor) in a separately labeled  bottle and if we 
reuse this, do the test first or toss used Schiffs if only using a few mls 
i.e. 20 mls or so.  Also, if Schiffs develops a precipitate, we toss it and 
we never allow it to freeze.

Gayle Callis
MT,HT,HTL(ASCP)
Research Histopathology Supervisor
Veterinary Molecular Biology
Montana State University - Bozeman
PO Box 173610
Bozeman MT 59717-3610
406 994-6367 (lab with voice mail)
406 994-4303 (FAX)