Celestine Blue-Hematoxylin Staining Solution - BioReagent, Biological Stain, for microscopy

Cat. No.: T774773

GRADE & PURITY BioReagent, Biological Stain, for Microscopy

Synonyms

Mordant Blue 14 | Celestine blue-Hematoxylin Staining Solution

Storage

Store at 2-8°C,Protected from light

Shipped In

Wet ice

Specifications

Synonyms

Mordant Blue 14 | Celestine blue-Hematoxylin Staining Solution

Specifications & Purity

BioReagent, Biological Stain, for microscopy

Stability And Storage

Store at 2-8℃ long term (12 months). Store in the dark.

Storage

Store at 2-8°C,Protected from light

Shipped In

Wet ice

This product requires cold chain shipping. Ground and other economy services are not available.

Grade

Biological Stain, BioReagent, for Microscopy

Product Line

Biological Products

Chemical and Physical Properties

• Sensitivity: Light-sensitive

Application Protocols

The following is a generalized histology workflow for celestine blue–hematoxylin nuclear staining (literature-based guidance; not item-specific). Optimize times and steps for your specimens and follow your lab’s SOP.

• Materials:

  • Celestine Blue–Hematoxylin Staining Solution (this product)
  • Xylene or clearing agent; graded ethanols (if working with paraffin sections)
  • Distilled/deionized water
  • Bluing solution (e.g., mildly alkaline water)
  • Optional: Differentiation solution (e.g., dilute acid alcohol), validated for your method

• Procedure (paraffin sections):

  1. Deparaffinize slides in clearing agent and rehydrate through graded ethanols to water.
  2. Immerse in Celestine Blue–Hematoxylin Staining Solution. Typical exposure ranges from ~30 s to several minutes depending on tissue and desired intensity; determine empirically using a control slide.
  3. Rinse in running water to remove excess stain.
  4. Blueing: Immerse in a bluing solution for ~30 s to a few minutes until nuclei turn a crisp blue; rinse in water.
  5. Proceed to counterstaining (if desired) and then dehydrate, clear, and mount per standard practice.

• Tips for reproducibility:

  • Maintain consistent water quality and bluing reagent.
  • Use fresh or well-maintained stain baths; filter if particulates are observed.
  • Include a control slide each run to gauge day-to-day variability.

This guidance is general. For any product-specific instructions or concentration details, consult the CoA/Spec Sheet.

Biological Roles

This product is a staining solution used to visualize cellular structures in fixed specimens; it has no biological role in living systems.

• Mechanistic staining interactions (literature; not item-specific):

  • Hematoxylin is oxidized in situ or during manufacture to hematein, which, when complexed with a metal mordant (e.g., Al3+), forms a cationic dye lake that binds preferentially to basophilic components such as chromatin, imparting the familiar nuclear blue coloration after a bluing step.
  • Celestine blue is a cationic dye that enhances nuclear staining, particularly useful prior to acid dye counterstaining where added resistance to extraction is beneficial.

• Use context in biology laboratories:

  • Applied to fixed cells/tissue sections to delineate nuclei and nuclear detail, facilitating morphologic assessments, region-of-interest localization, and contrast enhancement prior to additional histochemical or immunohistochemical procedures.

• Limitations and non-biological nature:

  • The interaction is non-covalent and relies on electrostatic and coordination interactions; it does not confer functional changes to biomolecules.
  • Not intended for live-cell imaging or any in vivo application.

No clinical or diagnostic claims are made; the product is designated for research use only (per Product Data). For composition-specific interactions or additives, consult the CoA/Spec Sheet.

Buffer Applications

Buffer preparation and buffering capacity are not applicable to this item. It is a formulated staining solution for microscopy rather than a buffering agent.

• Practical note: A separate “bluing” solution (mildly alkaline water or buffer) is commonly used after hematoxylin-based stains in general practice; select and validate this step according to your laboratory SOPs.

For exact formulation and any pH-related specifications of this product, refer to the CoA/Spec Sheet.

Green Alternatives

While green chemistry frameworks are not directly aimed at histology stains, laboratories can reduce environmental impact when using dye solutions:

• Source reduction and process efficiency:

  • Use minimal bath volumes consistent with complete slide coverage; adopt closed Coplin jars to reduce evaporation and extend bath life.
  • Batch process slides to maximize utilization of a given staining bath, reducing waste per slide.

• Alternatives and trade-offs (general):

  • Powdered concentrates reconstituted on-site can reduce shipping mass/volume but require solvent handling and generate packaging waste; ready-to-use solutions reduce handling of powders but may increase shipping weight.
  • Alcohol-free or low-VOC staining workflows (where compatible with your tissue processing) can reduce solvent emissions, but may alter staining kinetics and require re-optimization.

• Waste management:

  • Segregate dye-containing aqueous/alcoholic wastes; many contain colorants and metal mordants (literature context), which may require collection as hazardous waste. Avoid drain disposal unless explicitly permitted by local regulations.
  • Employ spent-bath consolidation and label with complete contents per SDS/CoA.

• Operational housekeeping:

  • Reusable glassware/jars decrease disposable plastic usage; implement validated cleaning cycles to avoid carryover.
  • Protect baths from light (as specified) to extend useful life, thereby reducing frequency of disposal and replacement.

These measures are general best practices; consult your EHS office for site-specific green lab guidance.

Pharmaceutical Uses

Not applicable. This product is a laboratory staining solution intended for microscopy in research settings and is not used as a pharmaceutical ingredient or excipient.

• Scope limitation: For research use only (per Product Data). Not for human or veterinary use, diagnostic procedures, or therapeutic applications.

• Related context (general): Histological nuclear stains like hematoxylin are used in pharmaceutical R&D laboratories for tissue morphology studies, but such usage is strictly non-clinical and outside the scope of pharmacopeial excipient standards.

Physical Properties

• Item-specific properties (as sold):

  • Appearance: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
  • Density, pH, refractive index, viscosity, concentration(s) of components: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
  • Freezing/boiling point of the solution: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
  • Solubility profile (mixture): Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

• Practical notes (general/literature for such staining solutions; not product-specific):

  • These nuclear stains are commonly supplied as aqueous or hydroalcoholic solutions containing dye(s) and, in the case of hematoxylin, may rely on an oxidized form (hematein) and a mordant system to achieve nuclear selectivity.
  • Solution pH and ionic strength influence staining intensity and contrast; buffering near neutral to slightly acidic conditions is typical for hematoxylin systems prior to “bluing.”
  • Color is generally deep blue–violet due to the celestine blue/hemalum chromophores, but exact hue and intensity depend on formulation and concentration.

• Stability considerations (general; not item-specific):

  • Hematoxylin requires controlled oxidation to hematein for activity; exposure to excessive light or heat can lead to further degradation and loss of staining power.
  • Precipitate formation can occur over time; gentle warming and thorough mixing can redissolve some deposits, but filtration through fine membrane filters is often used just prior to use in microscopy labs.

For definitive numeric specifications of this catalog item, please consult the CoA/Spec Sheet.

Quality & Grades

• Item-specific grade:

  • BioReagent, Biological Stain, for Microscopy (from Product Data).

• What this grade generally implies (context; not a specification):

  • Formulated and performance-appropriate for histological/cytological staining workflows, emphasizing reproducible nuclear contrast and low background when used according to standard protocols.
  • Attention to cleanliness suitable for microscopy: low particulate burden, minimized impurities that could cause precipitates or non-specific background. Many labs filter stain solutions prior to use as good practice.
  • Lot-to-lot consistency to support routine staining runs (e.g., tissue diagnostics research, teaching labs, morphology studies in research settings). Quality control often involves staining performance checks against reference tissues or cell blocks.

• Suitability notes:

  • Designed for research use only (from Product Data). Not intended for clinical diagnostic procedures or in vivo applications.
  • The Celestine Blue–Hematoxylin pairing is valued for crisp nuclear definition and resistance to decolorization during subsequent acid dye counterstains (literature context), making it practical in multistep histology protocols.

• Documentation:

  • For exact composition, concentration, filtration/sterility status, and acceptance criteria, consult the CoA/Spec Sheet for this SKU.

• Practical QC tips in the lab (general):

  • Record lot numbers in staining logs; include a control slide in each run.
  • Inspect for precipitates or color changes; if present, consider filtration through 0.45–0.2 µm membranes before use to maintain clarity in microscopic fields.

Reaction & Applications

• Synthetic chemistry reactions: Not applicable. This is a formulated histological stain, not a reagent for chemical synthesis.

• Microscopy applications (general/literature context; not product-specific):

  • Celestine blue–hematoxylin combinations are used to produce intense, crisp nuclear staining that is relatively resistant to acid differentiation and to subsequent application of acidic counterstains (e.g., Masson trichrome, Van Gieson). Celestine blue acts as a nuclear pre-stain or adjunct, often enhancing chromatin contrast.
  • Hematoxylin requires controlled oxidation to hematein and complexation with a mordant (commonly Al3+ or Fe3+) to form a “lake” that binds strongly to nucleic acids and certain nucleoproteins. A post-stain “bluing” step (e.g., alkaline water) shifts the dye lake to the characteristic blue tone.
  • Typical use cases include: general histology (research), teaching labs, morphology assessments, and workflows where progressive or regressive nuclear staining is followed by acid dyes that could otherwise extract weaker nuclear stains.

• Practical tips (general):

  • Consistency in pre-treatment (dewaxing, hydration) and wash waters greatly influences reproducibility.
  • Include a control slide in each run to gauge stain strength and timing on the day of use.
  • If employing differentiation, proceed cautiously with dilute acid alcohol only if validated for the celestine blue–hematoxylin system in your lab SOP.

This section reflects general staining practice for the dye system and does not constitute item-specific performance claims.

Reaction Conditions

Chemical reaction conditions are not applicable to this product because it is a staining solution rather than a reagent for synthesis.

• Operational conditions for staining (general guidance; literature-based, not item-specific):
  • Temperature: Typically ambient laboratory temperature.
  • Exposure time: Commonly from under 1 minute to several minutes depending on tissue thickness, fixation, and desired nuclear intensity; optimize empirically on control sections.
  • Rinsing: Follow with gentle aqueous rinses to remove unbound dye and proceed to a bluing step to develop the nuclear blue tone.
  • Compatibility: Validate any differentiation steps (e.g., dilute acid alcohol) carefully when combining with celestine blue–hematoxylin systems.

Refer to the Application Protocols tab for a generalized workflow. Always adapt to your specimens and existing SOPs.

Safety & Handling

• Hazard classification for this item:

  • Signal Word: Not specified for this item; refer to SDS.
  • H-Statements: Not specified for this item; refer to SDS.
  • GHS Classification and Pictograms: Not specified for this item; refer to SDS.

• General laboratory precautions (good practice for biological staining solutions; not product-specific):

  • Use in a well-ventilated area; avoid inhalation of mists/aerosols and contact with skin or eyes.
  • Recommended PPE: lab coat, safety glasses or face shield, and appropriate chemical-resistant gloves (e.g., nitrile). Consider splash protection when handling staining jars.
  • Prevent staining/dye contamination of benches and instruments; designate dedicated Coplin jars and staining racks.
  • Avoid ingestion; do not pipette by mouth. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
  • Manage spills with inert absorbent; dyes can permanently stain porous surfaces—contain promptly and decontaminate.

• Storage incompatibilities and special risks (general):

  • Protect from light to preserve hematoxylin/hematein integrity (Product Data requirement).
  • Avoid excessive heat. Do not store with strong oxidizers or strong bases/acids unless specified by the SDS for the exact formulation.
  • Some dye formulations may contain alcohols or metal salts; avoid contact with reactive metals and strong reducing agents. Refer to SDS for the specific product.

• First-aid overview (generic guidance—defer to SDS):

  • Skin/eye contact: Rinse with water for at least 15 minutes; remove contaminated clothing. Seek medical advice if irritation persists.
  • Inhalation: Move to fresh air; seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
  • Ingestion: Rinse mouth; do not induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel.

Always consult the product-specific SDS for authoritative safety, handling, and disposal guidance.

Solvent Selection

This product is a dedicated staining solution for microscopy and is not intended for use as a reaction solvent.

• Applicability: Solvent selection in the synthetic/analytical sense does not apply. Instead, consider substrate and workflow compatibility.

• Practical compatibility notes (general, not item-specific):

  • Compatible with standard glass slides and common histology carriers (Coplin jars, slide mailers). Avoid reactive metals and porous surfaces that can be irreversibly stained.
  • Downstream steps may involve aqueous rinses and a “bluing” solution; ensure your water quality (e.g., tap vs. buffered bluing reagent) is consistent to minimize variability in nuclear hue.
  • If alcohol steps are part of your workflow (e.g., dehydration), verify that the nuclear complex produced by your celestine blue–hematoxylin method withstands subsequent alcohol exposure without undue fading (literature practice).

• When to choose this formulation (context):

  • Preferable when robust nuclear staining is required prior to acid dye counterstains (e.g., trichrome methods), where classic alum hematoxylin alone may be less resistant.

For solvent properties or composition of the solution itself, refer to the CoA/Spec Sheet.

Storage & Reconstitution

• Item-specific storage (from Product Data):

  • Store at 2–8°C.
  • Protect from light.
  • Shipped on wet ice.

• Reconstitution:

  • The product is supplied as a staining solution; reconstitution is typically not required. If your SOP calls for dilution or modification (e.g., with a bluing agent sequence), prepare working solutions immediately before use.

• Handling and stability (general guidance; not item-specific):

  • Allow to equilibrate to room temperature before opening to minimize condensation.
  • Mix gently before use to ensure homogeneity. If precipitates are observed, gentle warming and/or fine filtration may be employed; verify performance with a control slide afterward.
  • Minimize light exposure during use and return promptly to refrigerated, dark storage.
  • Do not freeze unless the CoA/Spec Sheet explicitly permits; freeze–thaw can cause component precipitation or performance drift.

• Shelf life: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

• Research use note: For research use only (from Product Data). Dispose of spent solutions according to institutional and regulatory guidance; consult the SDS for composition-specific disposal recommendations.

Structure & Identity

This product is a formulated histological staining reagent comprising celestine blue used in combination with hematoxylin for microscopy. It is a mixture/solution, not a single defined compound; therefore conventional single-molecule identifiers are not applicable to the product as sold.

• Item-specific identifiers from Product Data:

  • SKU: T774773
  • Product Name: Celestine Blue-Hematoxylin Staining Solution
  • Grade: BioReagent, Biological Stain, for Microscopy
  • CAS, CID, InChIKey, SMILES: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
  • Molecular formula / Molecular weight (of the mixture): Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

• Literature/context (general, not item-specific):

  • Celestine blue (often Celestine Blue B) is a basic triarylmethane/oxazine-type cationic dye used as a nuclear stain and as a substitute/adjunct for iron/alum mordants.
  • Hematoxylin (oxidized to hematein and complexed with a mordant in use) is a classical basophilic nuclear stain.
  • Structural features (components, literature): celestine blue contains a delocalized cationic chromophore; hematein (from hematoxylin oxidation) coordinates metal mordants (e.g., Al3+, Fe3+) to give “lake” complexes that bind nucleic acids.

• 2D structural description (components, literature):

  • Celestine blue: planar aromatic system with cationic center enabling electrostatic interaction with anionic biopolymers.
  • Hematoxylin/hematein: polyphenolic xanthene-like scaffold capable of chelation; mordant complex mediates affinity for chromatin.

Because this is a prepared solution containing multiple constituents, single-compound identifiers and stereochemical descriptors do not apply to the product as sold.

Synthetic Utility

Not applicable. This is a prepared staining solution for microscopy, not a building block or reagent for chemical synthesis.

• Context: Although individual dye molecules (e.g., celestine blue, hematoxylin) have defined chemistries, the product as supplied is intended solely for staining fixed tissues/cells and not for engagement in organic transformations or materials synthesis.

Researchers seeking synthetic uses of celestine blue or hematoxylin should consult primary literature for those pure compounds rather than this formulated solution.

Target Specificity

Not applicable. Target specificity parameters (antigen, epitope, clone, isotype, species reactivity) are relevant to antibodies and affinity reagents, not to general histological stains.

• Context (literature): Hematoxylin-based systems impart basophilic nuclear staining through dye–mordant interactions with nucleic acids rather than selective binding to a protein epitope.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Biological Stain mean?

Biological Stain indicates that the product has been processed and tested for biological and biochemical applications. Specifications may include endotoxin limits, microbial controls, sterility, low DNase/RNase/protease activity, and verified biological activity where relevant.

What does BioReagent mean?

BioReagent indicates that the product has been processed and tested for biological and biochemical applications. Specifications may include endotoxin limits, microbial controls, sterility, low DNase/RNase/protease activity, and verified biological activity where relevant.

How should this product be stored?

Store at 2–8 °C, protected from light. The material is light-sensitive — keep it in its original opaque or amber container.

How is this product shipped?

This product ships chilled on wet ice. Unpack on arrival and transfer it to the storage condition stated above.

What documentation is provided?

Available product documentation, including Certificates of Analysis (COA), Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and specification sheets, is shown in the product document area. Document availability and access follow the current site policy.