Mayer’s Mucicarmine
for Mucins
Materials
- Alum hematoxylin, such as Mayer (Langeron)
- Mucicarmine
Material Amount Carmine 1 g Aluminum chloride 0.5 g Distilled water 3 mL Ethanol, 50% 100 mL
Preparation
- Combine the carmine, aluminum chloride and water.
- Heat until the color changes to a deep maroon red.
- Cool, and add the 50% ethanol. Leave 24 hours before use.
- Make every 7 – 10 days.
Tissue Sample
Alcohol fixed tissues were originally recommended, but 5µ paraffin sections of neutral buffered formalin fixed tissue are suitable. Other fixatives are likely to be satisfactory.
Protocol
- Bring sections to water via xylene and ethanol.
- Stain nuclei with hemalum and blue.
- Rinse with 70% ethanol.
- Place in mucicarmine diluted 1:10 with 70% ethanol for 10-15 minutes
- Rinse well with 95% ethanol.
- Rinse well with absolute ethanol.
- Clear with xylene and mount with a resinous medium.
Expected Results
- Nuclei – blue
- Mucins – red
- Background – pink
Notes
- The stain should be discarded when it begins to deposit on the side of the container.
- Bensley recommends using undiluted for 3-10 minutes before copper hematoxylin.
Safety Note
Prior to handling any chemical, consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for proper handling and safety precautions.
References
- Gray, Peter. (1954)
The Microtomist’s Formulary and Guide.
Originally published by: The Blakiston Co.
Republished by: Robert E. Krieger Publishing Co.
Citing:
Mayer, (1896)
Mitteilungen aus der Zoologischen Station zu Neapel, v. 12, p. 303
Berlin, Germany - Bensley R. R. and Bensley, S. H., (1938)
Handbook of Histological and Cytological Technique.
U. Chicago Press, Chicago, USA
