Lillie's
Cold Schiff Reagent

Solution

Ingredient	Amount
Pararosanilin	1 g
Hydrochloric acid, 0.15N	100 mL
Sodium metabisulphite	1.9 g
Activated charcoal (powder)	0.5 g

 

Preparation
Dissolve the dye and metabisulphite in the hydrochloric acid.
Shake frequently, or place on a shaker for about 2 hours.
The solution should be clear to pale yellow or light brown.
Add the activated charcoal and shake for a minute or two.
Filter into a graduated cylinder.
Restore the volume to 100 mL with distilled water rinses of the residue.
Store at 0-5°C in a tightly stoppered bottle.

 

Notes

1. If a diluted Schiff reagent is needed, add a solution made of 1.9% sodium metabisulphite in 0.15N hydrochloric acid in any proportion to get any desired dilution.
2. The solution should be colourless or very pale amber. Brown solutions will often stain poorly. Usually these have been made from a batch of basic fuchsin containing too little pararosanilin.

 

Reference

Lillie, R.D., (1954)
Histopathologic technique and practical histochemistry Ed.2
Blakiston, New York, USA.