New fuchsin (C.I. 42520)

The dry dye New fuchsin (C.I. 42520) for microscopy Certistain^®, is used for the preparation of a staining solution that can be used for staining of histological tissue sections or other samples of human origin according to Ziehl-Neelsen, Gram staining as well as in combination with Schiff′s reagent. As a Certistain^® dye it is chemically quality-certified according to highest standards and strict specifications. New fuchsin belongs to the group of triaminotriphenylmethane dyes.
The dye is used in Ziehl-Neelsen and Gram staining as well as for methods with Schiff′s reagent.
The cell wall of acid-fast bacteria (AFB) has a high proportion of wax and lipids and hence absorbs dyes only very slowly. As a measure to enhance the absorption of the fuchsin dye and thus the formation of the mycolate-fuchsin complex in the cell wall, the carbolfuchsin solution applied to the specimen is normally heated to evaporation point. If the Kinyoun carbolfuchsin solution is used, the heating of the solution is dispensable. Consequently, the release of hazardous phenolic vapors will be avoided.
Once the AFB have absorbed the fuchsin dye, it is virtually impossible to decolorize them again, even when they are intensively treated with a decolorizing solution such as e. g. hydrochloric acid in ethanol. Accordingly, AFB are termed as acid- and alcohol-fast for staining, and are stained red in the microscopic visualization. Correspondingly, all non-acid-fast microorganisms are counterstained with an appropriate dye.
Pretreatment of the specimens with Sputofluol® dissolves the bacteria from the surrounding viscid sputum and cell material. Sputofluol^™ also has a disinfectant effect, with the result that any microorganisms that are present are killed off. It is registered as IVD and certified as CE product. For more details, please see instructions for use (IFU). The IFU can be downloaded from this webpage.

Dye content (spectrophotometrically): ≥ 75 %
Identity (UV/VIS-Spectrum): passes test
Absorption maximum λ max (ethanol 50 %): 553 - 556 nm
Spec. Absorptivity A 1%/1cm (λ_max; 0.003 g/l; ethanol 50 %): 1810 - 2430
TLC-Test: passes test
Loss on drying (110 °C): ≤ 10 %
Suitability for microscopy: passes test

CERTISTAIN is a registered trademark of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

SPUTOFLUOL is a trademark of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany