Solutions:- Part 5 – Hematoxylin solution Preparation

Reagents needed are :

• 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.

Steps to make:

1. Weigh hematoxylin 4 G for 900 mL solution.
2. Weigh Mercuric oxide 2 G for 900 mL solution.
3. Weigh potash 100 G for 900 mL solution.
4. Measure 60 mL ethanol.
5. Distal water 800 mL.
   1. Boil 800 mL water and add Potash alum till it is dissolved.
   2. Mix 4 grams hematoxylin in 60 mL ethanol. Shake well to dissolve it.
   3. When potash is dissolved now add the solution of hematoxylin + ethanol solution.
6. Be Careful to add ethanol dissolved hematoxylin because there are chances for fire or bursting of the Potash alum solution.
7. So remove the potash alum from the heater and now add hematoxylin slowly by trickling alongside the beaker.
   1. After adding hematoxylin solution now on low heat and add mercuric oxide.
   2. Keep on heating on slow heat till mercuric oxide is dissolved and now the color of the solution will give pinkish hue.
8. Adjust the timing of hematoxylin color for staining of the slides which may be from 1 minute to 3 minutes with this solution.
   1. Time may vary from solution to solution and lab to lab.

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