Harris hematoxylin is a suitable dye to stain cell nuclei. It can be used as progressive and regressive staining. Harris hematoxylin is widely used for detection of cancer cells. Initially, the solution contained mercury oxide, but It can be substituted by other oxidizing substance. The oxidation transforms hematoxylin in hematein, which is the real dye.
Procedure
With mercury
5 g hematoxylin (C.I. 75290)
50 ml 100º ethanol
100 g aluminium ammonium sulfate
2,5 g mercury oxide (HgO)
Add distilled water to get 1000 ml of total solution
No mercury
5 g hematoxylin (C.I. 75290)
50 ml 100º ethanol
100 g aluminium ammonium sulfate
0,37 sodium iodate
1000 ml distilled water
Preparation
1. Dissolve hematoxylin in ethanol (it may be necessary to dilute hematoxylin in a bit of distilled water first).
2. Dissolve the aluminium ammonium sulfate in warmed distilled water.
3. Mix the two solutions made above and boil the solution.
4. Cool the solution and add the mercury oxide or sodium iodate. Mix slowly and gently.
5. If sodium iodate was added, then boil the solution again.
6. Cool the solution by placing the flask on ice or cold water
7. After cooling, filter the solution and keep in bottle protected from light.
The solution is stable for several months. To check the solution before use, put a drop of the solution on a filter paper. There should be a brown color in the center and a purple color in the periphery of the extended drop. If this is not happening, the solution may be discarded.
Products
Hematoxylin (C.I. 75290)
100º ethanol
Mercury oxide (HgO)
Sodium iodate (NaIO3)
Aluminium ammonium sulfate (AlNH4(SO4)2)
Distilled water
Labware
Test tube
Balance
Magnetic stirrer
Heating plate
Flasks
Bottle