McGhee Russel Alizarin Red S
for Calcium
Materials
| Material | Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Alizarin red S | 2 | g |
| Distilled water | 100 | mL |
Staining Solution Preparation
- Ajust the pH to 4.2 with 10% ammonium hydroxide.
- Use a pH meter with a glass electrode.
Tissue Sample
5µ paraffin sections of neutral buffered formalin fixed tissue are suitable. Other fixatives are likely to be satisfactory. Fixatives containg acids may remove some calcium.
Protocol
- Bring sections to distilled water via xylene and ethanol.
- Place into the staining solution for 1-5 minutes.
- Blot.
- Rinse well with acetone.
- Rinse with acetone:xylene 1:1.
- Rinse with xylene and mount with a resinous medium.
Expected Results
- Calcium – orange to red
Notes
- Although this method demonstrates calcium itself, the von Kossa method is often preferred.
- Stained calcium is birefringent.
- The staining should be controlled visually.
Safety Note
Prior to handling any chemical, consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for proper handling and safety precautions.
References
- Bancroft, J.D. and Stevens A. (1982)
Theory and practice of histological techniques, Ed. 2
Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh & London, UK.
