Alcian blue dyes belong to the group of water-soluble copper phthalocyanine dyes commonly used in histology, cytology and pathology laboratories. It is primarily utilised to stain the acidic mucopolysaccharides, glycosaminoglycans and mucins of biological tissues. It gives a distinct blue colour to cartilage, connective tissues, goblet cells and mucus-secreting structures that helps researchers and pathologists to identify them under the microscope. Its staining is widely used in cartilage research, chondrocyte analysis, gastrointestinal pathology, cornea studies etc. Alcian blue PAS and periodic acid schiff alcian blue are the two stains used commonly for the differentiation of acidic and neutral mucins in tissue specimens.
CAS No. :Â 33864-99-2
Synonyms – Ingrain blue 1 , Alcian Blue 8GX , Copper phthalocyanine dye, Alcian blue stain, Phthalocyanine blue dye.
| Physical Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C56H68Cl4CuN16S4 |
| IUPAC Name | copper;[dimethylamino-[[15,24,33-tris[[dimethylamino(dimethylazaniumylidene)methyl]sulfanylmethyl]-2,11,20,29,37,39-hexaza-38,40-diazanidanonacyclo[28.6.1.13,10.112,19.121,28.04,9.013,18.022,27.031,36]tetraconta-1(37),2,4(9),5,7,10,12(39),13(18),14,16,19,21,23,25,27,29,31(36),32,34-nonadecaen-6-yl]methylsulfanyl]methylidene]-dimethylazanium;tetrachloride |
| Molecular weight | 1298.86 g/mol |
| Solubility | Clear dark blue solution at 0.002% solution in water |
| Flash Point | 11 °C |
| Chemical Properties | |
| Color | Dark Blue |
| State | Powder or Crystalline powder |
| Melting Point | 148°C |
| Ph | ~2.5-3.5 (aqueous solution) |
Cartilage Staining- The Alcian Blue staining cartilage method is popular for staining cartilage tissues and for determining the presence of glycosaminoglycans in the extracellular matrix.
Histopathology Applications- It is commonly used in pathology laboratories for detecting acidic mucins in gastrointestinal and respiratory tissues.
 Alcian Blue PAS Staining- It is periodic acid schiff (Alcian Blue PAS), the staining process which helps differentiate between acidic mucins and neutral mucins in tissue samples.
Chondrocyte Research- Its chondrocytes staining methods are used in research in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
| Pictograms : |
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| Hazard Statements : | H312 – Harmful in contact with skin. H315 – Causes skin irritation. H319 – Causes serious eye irritation. H335 – May cause respiratory irritation. |
| Precautionary statements : | P101 – If medical advice is needed, have product container or label at hand. P102 – Keep out of reach of children. P103 – Read label before use. P261 – Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray. P280 – Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection |
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Alcian blue dyes belong to the group of water-soluble copper phthalocyanine dyes commonly used in histology, cytology and pathology laboratories. It is primarily utilised to stain the acidic mucopolysaccharides, glycosaminoglycans and mucins of biological tissues. It gives a distinct blue colour to cartilage, connective tissues, goblet cells and mucus-secreting structures that helps researchers and pathologists to identify them under the microscope. Its staining is widely used in cartilage research, chondrocyte analysis, gastrointestinal pathology, cornea studies etc. Alcian blue PAS and periodic acid schiff alcian blue are the two stains used commonly for the differentiation of acidic and neutral mucins in tissue specimens.
CAS No. :Â 33864-99-2
Synonyms – Ingrain blue 1 , Alcian Blue 8GX , Copper phthalocyanine dye, Alcian blue stain, Phthalocyanine blue dye.
| Physical Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C56H68Cl4CuN16S4 |
| IUPAC Name | copper;[dimethylamino-[[15,24,33-tris[[dimethylamino(dimethylazaniumylidene)methyl]sulfanylmethyl]-2,11,20,29,37,39-hexaza-38,40-diazanidanonacyclo[28.6.1.13,10.112,19.121,28.04,9.013,18.022,27.031,36]tetraconta-1(37),2,4(9),5,7,10,12(39),13(18),14,16,19,21,23,25,27,29,31(36),32,34-nonadecaen-6-yl]methylsulfanyl]methylidene]-dimethylazanium;tetrachloride |
| Molecular weight | 1298.86 g/mol |
| Solubility | Clear dark blue solution at 0.002% solution in water |
| Flash Point | 11 °C |
| Chemical Properties | |
| Color | Dark Blue |
| State | Powder or Crystalline powder |
| Melting Point | 148°C |
| Ph | ~2.5-3.5 (aqueous solution) |
Cartilage Staining- The Alcian Blue staining cartilage method is popular for staining cartilage tissues and for determining the presence of glycosaminoglycans in the extracellular matrix.
Histopathology Applications- It is commonly used in pathology laboratories for detecting acidic mucins in gastrointestinal and respiratory tissues.
 Alcian Blue PAS Staining- It is periodic acid schiff (Alcian Blue PAS), the staining process which helps differentiate between acidic mucins and neutral mucins in tissue samples.
Chondrocyte Research- Its chondrocytes staining methods are used in research in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
| Pictograms : |
|
| Hazard Statements : | H312 – Harmful in contact with skin. H315 – Causes skin irritation. H319 – Causes serious eye irritation. H335 – May cause respiratory irritation. |
| Precautionary statements : | P101 – If medical advice is needed, have product container or label at hand. P102 – Keep out of reach of children. P103 – Read label before use. P261 – Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray. P280 – Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection |
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Alcian blue is used for staining acidic mucopolysaccharides, mucins, cartilage tissues, and glycosaminoglycans in histology and pathology laboratories.
The Alcian Blue stain cartilage technique stains proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans found in cartilage tissues and chondrocytes..
The Alcian Blue PAS stain is a combined staining method used to differentiate acidic and neutral mucins in tissue sections
The principle of Alcian Blue stain is based on the binding of the positively charged dye to negatively charged acidic tissue components.
Pathologists use alcian blue staining to identify mucin-producing cells and acidic substances for disease diagnosis and tissue analysis.
Alcian blue chondrocytes staining helps visualize cartilage cells and extracellular matrix during cartilage research studies.
