A Stable, High-Contrast Mordant for Hematoxylin Staining

Abstract

Small, quantities of sulfuric acid will stabilize iron mordants, used in hematoxylin staining, by preserving these solutions against oxidation. The presence of acetic acid in the mordant improves the specificity of the stain. A stable, high-contrast mordant is obtained when both acids are combined with ferric-ammonium sulfate. This mordant, used in combination with fresh alkaline solutions of hematoxylin, has been found especially effective in the staining of certain nuclear and cytoplasmic components of plant cells.