Mayer’s Mucihematein

for Mucin

steps

materials

print

As well as his nuclear staining hemalum variants, Mayer also published an alum hematein solution to demonstrate mucin, termed Mucihematein. This method is now obsolete, but was designed to accentuate the bluish color of mucins seen with many strong, regressive hemalum formulations.

Materials

Material	Variant			Function
Material	Var I	Var II	Var III	Function
Hematein	0.2 g	1 g	0.2 g	Dye
Aluminum chloride	0.1 g	0.5 g	0.1 g	Mordant
Distilled water	60 mL			Solvent
Glycerol	40 mL			Stabiliser
Ethanol, 70%		100 mL	100 mL	Solvent
Nitric acid		drops	0.05 mL	pH control

Compounding Procedures

Var I

Grind the hematein with a few drops of the glycerol.
Add the aluminum chloride, and mix.
Add the glycerol and water, and mix.
Test the solution on a positive control (e.g. stomach).

Var II

Make the 70% ethanol from absolute ethanol and tap water.
Dissolve the hematein and aluminum chloride in it, and leave for one week.
Test the solution on a positive control (e.g. stomach).
If too pale add 1 drop of fresh 1% nitric acid and retest.
Repeat if necessary, but no more than about 3 drops should be added.

Var III

Make the 70% ethanol from 95% ethanol and water.
Dissolve the hematein and aluminum chloride in it.
Add the nitric acid.
Test the solution on a positive control (e.g. stomach).

Protocol

Bring the sections to water
Place in the staining solution for 10-60 minutes
Wash well with tap water to blue.
Optionally, counterstain with eosin.
Dehydrate with ethanol, clear with xylene and mount with a resinous medium.

Expected Results

Nuclei – blue
Mucins – blue

Notes

Var I is from Mallory & Wright.
Var II is from Bensley, who recommended preparing the hematein in house and staining for 5 minutes.
Var III is from Gray.
Bolles-Lee gives the same formula as Mallory & Wright, but notes that 70% ethanol may be used as the solvent, with or without 2 drops of nitric acid.

Safety Note

Prior to handling any chemical, consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for proper handling and safety precautions.

References

Bensley R. R. and Bensley, S. H., (1938)
Handbook of Histological and Cytological Technique.
U. Chicago Press, Chicago, USA
Bolles Lee, A.. Edited by Gatenby, J.B. and Beams, H.W., (1950)
The Microtomist’s Vade-Mecum. 11 ed.,
Churchill, London, UK.
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
Mallory, F. B. & Wright, J.H., (1904)
Pathological technique, Ed.3
W. B. Saunders, Philadelphia, USA.

Mayer’s Mucihematein for Mucin