Alcian Blue stain kit (for cells)

Alcian blue is a copper-titanium cyanine conjugate dye that was originally used for dyeing textile fibers. This cationic dye combines with acidic groups, that is, Alcian blue forms an insoluble complex with anionic groups such as carboxyl and sulfate groups contained in tissues. Alcian blue is composed of a central copper-containing phthalocyanine ring connected to four isothiurea groups through thioether bonds. The isothiurea group is moderately alkaline, making Alcian blue cationic. The exact mechanism by which Alcian blue colors carbohydrates is unknown, and it is generally believed that the cationic isothiurea group is connected to the polyanions in the tissue through electrostatics. For example, the carboxyl and sulfate groups of acidic mucus substances containing carboxyl and sulfate groups form an insoluble complex, that is, the positively charged salt bond in the dye molecule and the negatively charged acidic group in the acidic mucus substance combine to form a blue color.

This kit is mainly composed of Alcian stain solution and counterstain solution, which is suitable for staining cell samples. The staining results are: acidic mucin is blue and cell nucleus is red.