Mucin Staining 2 7. '5 



comment: 



For staining of weakly acidic polysaccharides, see Wolman 

 (1961). 



Mucin Staining 



Mayer's Mucicarmine 



fixation: any general fixative, but alcoholic preferred. 



solution: 



Stock solution: (Southgate's solution, 1927) 



carmine, C.I. 75470 1.0 gm. 



aluminum hydroxide, powder 1.0 gm. 



aluminum chloride, anhydrous 0.5 gm. 



50% ethyl alcohol lOO.O ml. 



Heat in boiling water bath with frequent shaking: 2.5 minutes. Cool 

 under tap and filter. 



Working solution: 



stock solution 1 .0 ml. 



distilled water 9.0 ml. 



Mix 1-2 days before using. 



procedure: 



1. Deparaffinize and hydrate to water; remove HgClo. 



2. Stain in diluted mucicarmine: 15-20 minutes; check under micro- 

 scope. (Flood the slides with the working solution.) 



3. Rinse quickly in distilled water. 



4. Dehydrate, clear and mount. 



results: 



mucin — red 



comments: 



If desirable to stain nuclei, precede staining with mucicarmine by 

 Weigert's or Groat's iron hematoxylin (page 126). 



This method has lost its popularity and is not used extensively, but 

 has been included for technicians who might want to refer to it. For 

 more popular methods, see the metachromatic procedures (page 279). 



Fluorescent Method (hicks and maithaei, 1958) 

 fixation: 10% formalin preferred. 



