This kit utilizes the properties of both the PAS and Alcian Blue methods to demonstrate the full complement of tissue proteoglycans. The rationale of the technique is that by first staining all the acidic mucins with Alcian Blue, those acidic mucins which are also PAS positive will be chemically blocked and will not react further during the technique. Those neutral mucins which are solely PAS positive will subsequently be demonstrated in a contrasting manner. The combined result demonstrates both acidic and neutral mucins as well as mixtures of acidic and neutral mucins.
This kit is designed to stain formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue sections, and may be used for frozen sections as well. Strongly acidic mucins will be stained blue, neutral mucins will be stained magenta, mixtures of both acidic and neutral mucins will be stained blue-purple, nuclei will be stained deep blue.
The kit components: