Propionic acid-metabisulphite-Schiff reagent for quick Feulgen staining.

This communication presents a method for the preparation of Schiff reagent in which N hydrochloric acid has been replaced by a low concentration of propionic acid. The result of using such a Schiff reagent indicates that the dye-reagent thus prepared is extrafast in action on acid-hydrolysed mammalian tissue sections. The intensity of nuclear colouration is also increased considerably, since the pH of the dye-reagent is 6.0. It is, therefore advocated that this newly developed Schiff reagent be used at 5 degrees C.