Einarson’s
Gallocyanin-Chrome Alum

Solutions

Solution
Chrome alum	5	g		Add the chrome alum and gallocyanin to the water.
Gallocyanin	0.15	g		Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes.
Distilled water	100	mL		Cool and filter.

Tissue sample
5µ paraffin sections of neutral buffered formalin or Zenker fixed tissue are suitable. Other fixatives are likely to be satisfactory.

Method

1. Bring sections to water via xylene and ethanol.
2. Place in the staining solution for 24-48 hours.
3. Rinse well with water.
4. Dehydrate with ethanols.
5. Clear with xylene and mount with a resinous medium.

Expected results

• Nucleic acids  –  blue

Notes

1. Chrome alum is chromium potassium sulphate dodecahydrate,
   CrK(SO₄)₂·12H₂O
2. Culling states that the pH is 1.64, and that changing this will eliminate or accentuate non-specific staining. Addition of up to 10 mL N hydrochloric acid will eliminate background staining, and addition of up to 5 mL N sodium hydroxide will accentuate it. In either case, staining of nucleic acids is not affected.

 

Reference

Gray, Peter. (1954)
The Microtomist's Formulary and Guide.
Originally published by:– The Blakiston Co.
Republished by:– Robert E. Krieger Publishing Co.
  Citing:–
    Einarson, (1932)
    American Journal of Pathology, v. 8, p. 295
    Boston, USA

Culling C.F.A., (1974)
Handbook of histopathological and histochemical techniques Ed. 3
Butterworth, London, UK.