Toluidene Blue Stain for Glycol Methacrylate Sections

Technovit Glycol Methacrylate: Technical Information and Help From Heraeus Kulzer.

Here is a variation of the classic stain that works well for plastic sections.

Procedure:

1. Toluidine blue for 2 - 5 minutes for 4 - 6 micron sections. More time is needed for thicker sections.
2. Differentiate in 96% alcohol until the desired color intensity is reached.
3. Dehydrate in 100% alcohol.
4. Clear in xylene and mount.

Solutions:

Toluidine Blue - 0.1%:

• 1 gm Toluidine Blue
• 1 gm Sodium Tetraborate
• 1000 ml distilled water
• Mix and filter before using.

Results:

Nuclei - blue
Basophilic cytoplasm - blue
Mast cells - violet
Acid mucopolysaccharides - violet

Citation:

Gerrits, P. O. and Smid, L., "Staining Procedures for Tissues Embedded in 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate", Heraeus Kulzer.