[Histonet] Saturated lithium carbonate bluing

[Gayle Callis]

Yes, have used sat LiCO3, but it had to be decanted carefully into the 
container or the lithium carbonate crystals poured off polarized!!  Bummer 
with congo red amyloid staining to see annoying crystals everywhere.   And 
then the saturated stuff grew some ugly black floating grow-ty stuff, a 
touch of black slime.   Went back to Scotts tap water substitute or Richard 
Allen bluing solution.

An excellent article on the theory of hematoxylin staining is found in J of 
Histotechnology, Susan Meloan and H. Puchtler volume 10, 1987.   The actual 
staining by hematoxylin, nomenclature, and what the dye molecule consists 
of, along with what acid and alkaline solutions does is explained in great 
detail.  After reading this publication, how I do or think about 
hematoxylin staining (either progressive or regressive methods) was 
radically changed.   It is very chemical, but very informative - be 
prepared for some interesting chemistry.

I strongly recommend this publication to all doing H&E staining.


At 12:08 PM 11/30/2004, you wrote:
>Anyone remember using saturated lithium carbonate?  I could probably use a
>little lithium right now . . . . .
>
>Correct me if I'm wrong (Pandora's box) but isn't the "bluing" step just
>bringing the slides BACK to a neutral pH after treating them with acid
>which makes them purple-ish?  I like the ammonia because it 'seems' to
>make the nuclei sharper and instantaneously - Li2Co3 and PBS seemed to
>make them "blah".(Perception is in the eye of the beholder)   Running tap
>water will make the same miracle happen, but it takes longer.
>
>
>
>

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)