MicrobeHunter.com Microscopy Forum

I've noticed a set on Amazon that contains these different stains to. What do each of these stains do? What are the most important ones to have for beginners? I've attached an image of all of them. Sorry it is heavily cropped. I will also list them here:

Janus Green 1% Alcohol Solution
Neutral Red 1% Alcohol Solution
Bismark Brown 1% Alcohol Solution
Brilliant Cresyl 1% Alcohol Solution
Copper(II) Acetate 3% Aqueous Solution
Copper(III) Sulfate 1% Aqueous Solution
Methylene Blue 1% Aqueous Solution
Methylene Blue Saturated 1% Alcohol Solution
Carbol Fuschin Zehl-Neelsen Solution
Carbol Rose Bengal Solution
Methylene Blue (Loeffler's Solution)
Crystal Violet 1% Alcohol Solution
Gram's Iodine Solution
Safranin O Solution
Crystal Violet Solution
3 Bottles of Ethyl Alcohol Denatured 95%

This is the link for those interested:

https://www.amazon.com/Innovating-Scien ... 06XTRJ2N1/

A quick and easy way to know what to do with each stain is to google its name in Wikipedia. Wiki desribes the stain in a few short sentences.

Most of the stains are not highly specific. They will dye microscopic cells - plant cells, animal cells - and tissues, and microscopic creatures.

Just note, that they are sold as 1% solution. Such solution is often too concentrated for use in microscopy. I would dilute them 10X-100X with distilled water before use.

It is also a good idea to keep them well out of reach of unauthorized personnel (especially children) and carefully read the safety rule for each stain. Many of them are not innocent. Never get them on open wounds, in the mouth or the eyes.

Wear gloves (latex, nitrile, polyethene) when handling and don safety goggles, or at least eye glasses.

Work over a layer of absorbent paper or rug, to protect desktops, counter tops etc from being stained. Formica and similar coatings avidly absorb stains and they are difficult to clean afterwards.

Here is some more on various protocols, for those wanting information overload:

http://www.ihcworld.com/protocol_database.htm

wporter wrote:Here is some more on various protocols, for those wanting information overload:

http://www.ihcworld.com/protocol_database.htm

Interesting link!

Quick look but already found some solid advice on sections:

Start with a sharp blade - Yet some will risk quality by trying to get "20 shaves" out of a disposable blade.

Conn's: https://www.amazon.com/Conns-Biological ... B0006COHY2

Conn's:

https://archive.org/details/biologicals ... nn/page/n3

Thanks for the links to Conn's, very useful.