Reddy's
Alum Hematoxylin

Ingredient	Amount	Function
Hematoxylin	6.4 g	Dye
Ammonium alum	60 g	Mordant
Ethanol, absolute	200 mL	Solvent
Glycerol	160 mL	Stabiliser
Distilled water	640 mL	Solvent

 

Compounding procedure
Combine all the ingredients.
Mix for a day.
Leave in the dark for at least a month to ripen.

Method

1. Bring sections to water with xylene and ethanol.
2. Place into the staining solution for 3-5 minutes.
3. Rinse with water.
4. Differentiate lightly with 1% hydrochloric acid in 70% ethanol.
5. Rinse with water.
6. Blue with 0.1% sodium bicarbonate.
7. Wash with water.
8. Dehydrate with ethanol, clear with xylene and mount with a resinous medium.

Expected results

• Nuclei  –  blue

Notes

1. The method does not explicitely say to counterstain, although the customary dyes could be applied following step 7.
2. The method is recommended for neurological staining.

 

Reference
Reddy, P. H., (2001)
Neurological Sciences Institute
Oregon Health and Science University
url:–  http://www.ohsu.edu/nsi/faculty/reddyh/lab/prothema.html