Alexander’s Formulation
Solution
| Material | Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Pararosanilin | 1 | g |
| Distilled water | 200 | mL |
| Sodium hydrosulfite | 1 | g |
| Activated charcoal (powder) | 1 | g |
Preparation
- Bring the water to boiling.
- Remove from the heat and add the dye (be careful of foaming).
- Filter while hot.
- Immediately add the hydrosulfite and activated charcoal.
- Shake thoroughly, and filter.
- Store at 0-5°C in a tightly stoppered bottle.
Notes
- Sodium hydrosulfite is also known as sodium dithionite, Na2S2O4. Do not confuse with sodium hyposulfite (photographic hypo), an older name for sodium thiosulfate.
- The solution should be colorless 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.
Safety Note
Prior to handling any chemical, consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for proper handling and safety precautions.
References
- Lillie, R.D., (1954)
Histopathologic technique and practical histochemistry Ed.2
Blakiston, New York, USA.
