Skip to Content
Merck
All Photos(1)

Key Documents

Safety Information

B8438

Sigma-Aldrich

Alcian Blue solution

1% in 3% acetic acid, pH 2.5

Synonym(s):

Alcian Blue 8XG solution

Sign Into View Organizational & Contract Pricing
All Photos(1)

About This Item

UNSPSC Code:
12171500
NACRES:
NA.47

form

liquid

Quality Level

100

concentration

1% in 3% acetic acid, pH 2.5

technique(s)

microbe id | staining: suitable

color

dark blue to very dark blue

pH range

2.4-2.6

Amax

0.45-0.60 (1:400 in H2O)

application(s)

diagnostic assay manufacturing
hematology
histology

storage temp.

room temp

Application

Alcian Blue solution has been used in the histological staining of acidic glycosaminoglycans (GAGs; mucopolysaccharides) that are carboxylated or sulfated. Sulfated glycosaminoglycans appear to be the preferred substrate for alcian blue at pH 2.5. Alcian blue has been used to stain hyaluronan (HA), a nonsulfated GAG, but the intensity of the staining of HA is affected by the method of tissue fixation used. Alcian blue staining of GAGs in tissue may be modified through the addition of an electrolyte such as magnesium chloride.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Alcian Blue is a cationic dye. It forms insoluble complexes with acidic glycosaminoglycans, thereby aiding in the quantitative determination of glycosaminoglycans. It is also used for the staining of bone and cartilage.

Storage Class Code

12 - Non Combustible Liquids

WGK

WGK 2

Flash Point(F)

Not applicable

Flash Point(C)

Not applicable

Regulatory Listings

Regulatory Listings are mainly provided for chemical products. Only limited information can be provided here for non-chemical products. No entry means none of the components are listed. It is the user’s obligation to ensure the safe and legal use of the product.

ISHL Indicated Name

Substances Subject to be Indicated Names

ISHL Notified Names

Substances Subject to be Notified Names

JAN Code

B8438-500ML:4548173954554
B8438-250ML:4548173954547
B8438-BULK:
B8438-VAR:

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Search for Certificates of Analysis (COA) by entering the products Lot/Batch Number. Lot and Batch Numbers can be found on a product’s label following the words ‘Lot’ or ‘Batch’.

Already Own This Product?

Find documentation for the products that you have recently purchased in the Document Library.

Visit the Document Library

SPECIFIC STAINING OF SULPHATE GROUPS WITH ALCIAN BLUE AT LOW PH.
R LEV et al.
The journal of histochemistry and cytochemistry : official journal of the Histochemistry Society, 12, 309-309 (1964-04-01)
A procedure for differential staining of cartilage and bone in whole formalin-fixed vertebrates.
Wassersug R J.
Stain Technology, 51(2), 131-134 (1976)
The quantitative determination of glycosaminoglycans in urine with Alcian Blue 8GX.
Whiteman P.
The Biochemical Journal, 131(2), 351-357 (1973)
Hao Wu et al.
Experimental cell research, 361(2), 324-332 (2017-11-04)
Mesenchymal stem-cell based therapies have been proposed as novel treatments for intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. The development of these treatment strategies, however, has been hindered by the incomplete understanding of the origin, biological properties of nucleus pulposus (NP) derived stem/progenitor
W Lin et al.
The journal of histochemistry and cytochemistry : official journal of the Histochemistry Society, 45(8), 1157-1163 (1997-08-01)
The apparent intensity of hyaluronan (HA) staining in tissue sections can vary as a function of fixation techniques. We examined the histochemical distribution of HA in normal human skin using an HA-specific binding peptide derived from bovine nasal cartilage. The
View All Related Papers

Our team of scientists has experience in all areas of research including Life Science, Material Science, Chemical Synthesis, Chromatography, Analytical and many others.

Contact Technical Service