Open AccessAn alcohol-soluble Schiff's reagent: A histochemical application of the complex between Schiff's reagent and phosphotungstic acid
Author(s) -
K. S. Bedi,
Richard W. Horobin
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
histochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0301-5564
DOI - 10.1007/bf00494553
Subject(s) - reagent , chemistry , phosphotungstic acid , alcohol , staining , periodic acid–schiff stain , schiff base , chromatography , aqueous solution , nuclear chemistry , organic chemistry , polymer chemistry , catalysis , medicine , pathology
A schedule for staining partially hydrated PAS-positive structures using non-aqueous solutions has been devised. Tissues are dewaxed, taken down to 70% alcohol, oxidised for 10 min in a 1% w/v alcoholic solution of periodic acid, treated with an alcoholic solution of phosphotungstic acid-Schiff reagent complex (PTA-Schiff reagent) for 25 min, washed in alcohol, cleared in xylene and mounted in a synthetic medium. The PTA-Schiff reagent complex prepared from de Tomasi Schiff reagent by precipitation with PTA may be stored in the deep freeze for many months and dissolved freshly in alcohol for use. The PTA-Schiff reagent used as above allows staining of highly water soluble materials such as dextran. From blocking and digestion studies the mode of action seems similar to de Tomasi Schiff reagent. The partial hydration of the tissues prior to reaction was found to be essential for effective staining.