Alcian Yellow
Enhance Your Histology Techniques
Author: Kelsey Goldman, HTL (ASCP)
Last Update: 1 January 2025
Copyright: 2025, HistologyOutlines.com
Cite this Page! -> Goldman, Kelsey. “Alcian Blue.” HistologyOutlines.Com, 1 Jan 2025. Accessed (today).
Purpose
- Alcian Yellow is a mucin stain. It is often used in addition with Toluidine Blue in order to detect H. Pylori.
Control Tissues
- Gastric Tissue
Staining Pattern
- Mucin= Yellow
Biochemistry Theory
Troubleshooting
Additional References
Sample Protocol
Working Solution Preparation
Prepare the following working solution (can be kept for 1 month):
- Take 50 mL of Distilled Water and add 0.5 mL of Toluidine Blue Stock Solution.
- Add 2 drops of 3% Sodium Hydroxide.
Protocol
- Deparaffinize and hydrate sections.
- Oxidize the sections in 1% Periodic Acid for 10 minutes. Note: It is important to verify the correct concentration of periodic acid is used. Do not reuse this solution.
- Wash sections well in Deionized Water.
- Put slides into 5% Sodium Metabisulfite for 5 minutes.
- Wash in running tap water for 2 minutes.
- Stain in Alcian Yellow for 5-10 minutes depending on desired intensity.
- Wash sections well in Deionized Water.
- Stain in Toluidine Blue working solution for 3-5 minutes. Note: Do not reuse the part of the solution that you place these slides into.
- Wash slides well in Deionized Water.
- Blot the slides dry.
- Dehydrate quickly, clear, and mount.
Adapted from:
“H. Pylori Stain Kit, Alcian Yellow.” Avantik-US,
https://avantik-us.com/images/RS4559_Avantik_H.Pylori_Stain_Kit_Alcian_Yellow_Protocol.pdf
. Accessed 17 July 2023.