Kiernan's Eriochrome Cyanin
with two colours
Materials
Solution A
| Material | Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Eriochrome cyanine R | 1.0 | g |
| Ferric chloride, 5.6% | 2.5 | mL |
| Sulphuric acid, conc. | 2.5 | mL |
| Distilled water | up to 500 | mL |
Tissue Sample
5 µ 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.
- Place sections into solution A for 3 minutes.
- Rinse with distilled water three times for about 20 seconds each time.
- Dehydrate with ethanols.
- Clear with xylene and mount with a resinous medium.
Expected Results
- Nuclei – purple blue
- Background – red
Notes
- Solution A is stable for years.
- Solution A must have a pH of 1.5 for the two colour effect. Check periodically, and adjust with 1M sulphuric or hydrochloric acids, or sodium hydroxide.
- Kiernan’s also describes regressive nuclear staining and myelin staining variants.
- Eriochrome cyanine R is also known as mordant blue 3 and solochrome cyanine R
Safety Note
Prior to handling any chemical, consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for proper handling and safety precautions.
References
- Kiernan. J.A., (1999)
Histological and histochemical methods: Theory and practice, Ed. 3
Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford, UK.
