Hematoxylin solution

What reagents are needed for the hematoxylin solution?

1. Hematoxylin powder (Harris hematoxylin is preferred).
   1. Good hematoxylin powder is brown powder.
2. Potash alum (Pattkari, known in Urdu).
3. Mercuric oxide.
4. Ethanol.
5. Distal water.

What are the steps to make a Hematoxylin solution?

What is the quantity of the Hematoxylin solution reagents?

1. Weigh hematoxylin 4 G for 900 mL solution.
2. Weigh Mercuric oxide 2 G for 900 mL solution.
3. Weigh potash alum 100 G for 900 mL solution.
4. Measure 60 mL ethanol.
5. Distal water 800 mL.

What is the procedure for preparing hematoxylin solution?

1. Boil 800 mL water and add Potash alum till it is dissolved.
2. Mix 4 grams of hematoxylin in 60 mL ethanol. Shake well to dissolve it.
3. When the potash alum is dissolved, add the hematoxylin + ethanol solution.
4. Be Careful when adding ethanol-dissolved hematoxylin. The alcohol in the potash alum solution can cause fire or bursting.
5. So remove the potash alum from the heater and add hematoxylin slowly by trickling it alongside the beaker.
6. After adding the hematoxylin solution, put on low heat and add mercuric oxide.
7. Keep on heating on slow heat till mercuric oxide is dissolved, and now the color of the solution will give a pinkish hue.
8. Adjust the timing of the hematoxylin color for staining the slides, which may take 1 minute to 3 minutes with this solution.
   1. Time may vary from solution to solution and lab to lab.

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