Hematoxylin solution

The 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 Hematoxylin solution:

Reagents for Hematoxylin solution:

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.

Procedure for Hematoxylin solution preparation:

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 to add ethanol-dissolved hematoxylin because there are chances for fire or bursting of the Potash alum solution due to alcohol in it.
5. So remove the potash alum from the heater and add hematoxylin slowly by trickling it alongside the beaker.
   1. After adding the 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 a pinkish hue.
6. 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.

Questions and answers: