Microwave irradiation exposure enhancing melanin staining quality and act as time reducing factor in the Masson-Fontana method

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study was to evaluate the effects of microwave device in melanin pigment staining procedures and to compare between the classical Masson-Fontana staining technique at room temperature and the Microwave technique with Masson-Fontana stain. A total of 50 skin tissue samples were taken for processing. After processing, two histochemical staining techniques were carried out; the classical Masson-Fontana method at room temperature and the microwave device Masson-Fontana staining method at temperature 25°C. Both methods were compared. This study indicated that the use of a microwave device in staining of melanin pigment reduced the time significantly (P ≤ 0.001) from overnight (24 hours) to only 2 minutes with excellent staining quality as compared to the classical Masson-Fontana method (P ≤ 0.001). In conclusion, the use of a microwave device is a vital tool for staining of melanin with the Masson-Fontana method as it is a time reducer and staining quality enhancer.