Luxol Fast Blue Mbs: A Stain for Phase Contrast Microscopy

Abstract

A staining method to increase the contrast of sectioned material for phase contrast microscopy is described. Two stock solutions of the stain are required. The first is made by dissolving 2 gm of luxol fast blue MBS in 100 ml of 95% ethanol. The second solution is made up of 4 ml of a 29% aqueous solution of FeCl3, 95 ml of 95% ethanol, and 1 ml of concentrated HCl. The staining solution is made by mixing equal parts of the two solutions. Sections are deparaffinized and taken to 70% alcohol, stained for 1.5 hr, dehydrated, cleared and covered as usual.