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B8438

Sigma-Aldrich

Alcian Blue solution

1% in 3% acetic acid, pH 2.5

Synonym(s):

Alcian Blue 8XG solution

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About This Item

UNSPSC Code:
12171500
NACRES:
NA.47

form

liquid

Quality Level

concentration

1% in 3% acetic acid, pH 2.5

color

dark blue to very dark blue

pH range

2.4-2.6

Amax

0.45-0.60 (1:400 in H2O)

application(s)

diagnostic assay manufacturing
hematology
histology

storage temp.

room temp

Application

Alcian Blue solution has been used in the histological staining of acidic glycosaminoglycans (GAGs; mucopolysaccharides) that are carboxylated or sulfated. Sulfated glycosaminoglycans appear to be the preferred substrate for alcian blue at pH 2.5. Alcian blue has been used to stain hyaluronan (HA), a nonsulfated GAG, but the intensity of the staining of HA is affected by the method of tissue fixation used. Alcian blue staining of GAGs in tissue may be modified through the addition of an electrolyte such as magnesium chloride.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Alcian Blue is a cationic dye. It forms insoluble complexes with acidic glycosaminoglycans, thereby aiding in the quantitative determination of glycosaminoglycans. It is also used for the staining of bone and cartilage.

Storage Class Code

12 - Non Combustible Liquids

WGK

WGK 2

Flash Point(F)

Not applicable

Flash Point(C)

Not applicable


Certificates of Analysis (COA)

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Differential staining of acid glycosaminoglycans (mucopolysaccharides) by alcian blue in salt solutions.
J E Scott et al.
Histochemie. Histochemistry. Histochimie, 5(3), 221-233 (1965-10-01)
G F Pierce et al.
The American journal of pathology, 138(3), 629-646 (1991-03-01)
Recombinant platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) influence the rate of extracellular matrix formed in treated incisional wounds. Because incisional healing processes are difficult to quantify, a full-thickness excisional wound model in the rabbit
SPECIFIC STAINING OF SULPHATE GROUPS WITH ALCIAN BLUE AT LOW PH.
R LEV et al.
The journal of histochemistry and cytochemistry : official journal of the Histochemistry Society, 12, 309-309 (1964-04-01)
A procedure for differential staining of cartilage and bone in whole formalin-fixed vertebrates.
Wassersug R J.
Stain Technology, 51(2), 131-134 (1976)
W Lin et al.
The journal of histochemistry and cytochemistry : official journal of the Histochemistry Society, 45(8), 1157-1163 (1997-08-01)
The apparent intensity of hyaluronan (HA) staining in tissue sections can vary as a function of fixation techniques. We examined the histochemical distribution of HA in normal human skin using an HA-specific binding peptide derived from bovine nasal cartilage. The

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