Basic Fuchsin-Tannic Acid; A One-Solution Stain for Spore Walls in Fungi

Abstract

Spore walls in fungi are stained with the supernatant obtained by centrifuging at 2000 rev/min for 15 min, equal parts by volume of 10% aqueous tannic acid and 1% aqueous basic fuchsin. Advantages of this technique are: (1) the spore walls show up better than when stained with any other dye; (2) in photomicrographs, the spore walls contrast very well with the cytoplasm; (3) it is performed quickly and easily. A comprehensive review of work done to date by other workers reveals that all of the cell wall stains found in the literature stain the spore walls faintly, or both walls and cytoplasm heavily, or only the cytoplasm.