Hi Dorothy, Try Richard Allan Bluing Reagent.
Here's what they say about their product: "It is a buffered product that ensures the proper alkalinity (pH=8.0). Unlike ammonia and lithium carbonate, RA's Bluing Reagent does not allow for the pH shift which can affect the crispness of nuclear detail." When I first began supervising this lab 5 years ago, they "made from scratch" their own hematoxylin and eosin (not to mention buffered formalin.) Unfortunately, the quality of the stain was very spotty and caused the Pathologists a lot of problems. I switched us to the Richard Allan 7211 Hematoxylin, which has beautiful, crisp nuclear detail. We also went with the recommended Richard Allan Clarifier, Bluing and Eosin, as well, so that we could produce a consistently high quality H&E every time. In 5 years, we've had very few complaints about the stain from the 8-10 Pathologists we've worked with, except for one occasion when there was some isolated nuclear hazing. We did some detective work and determined that the cause was due to a rack or two that had been placed in the oven without properly removing the excess water or draining of the slides before placing them in the oven. Have a great week-end everybody. It's practically the 1st sunny day we've had, here in Minneapolis, for the past 2 weeks and Saturday and Sunday's forecast looks good, too! Sandy Harrison VA-Minneapolis Supervisor, Anatomical and Surgical Pathology 612-467-2449 -----Original Message----- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Webb, Dorothy L Sent: Friday, June 24, 2011 2:21 PM To: 'histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu' Subject: [Histonet] bluing Looking to change my "bluing" step in the H&E process to obtain a bluer (less purple) hue to the nuclear detail. What is everyone using in their bluing step?? Thanks for all of your ideas!! ________________________________ This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you are not the intended recipient or the individual responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, please be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the HealthPartners Support Center by telephone at (952) 967-6600. You will be reimbursed for reasonable costs incurred in notifying us. HealthPartners R001.0 _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet