Cytochemical properties of the conventional Schiff reagent fortified with Tris-buffer

This paper presents a cytochemical study of a modified Schiff reagent in which 250 Tris-buffer has been incorporated in addition to 5 ml of N HCL and 1.0 g of potassium metabisulphite per 100 ml of an aqueous solution of 0.5% basic fuchsin. The results indicate production of an orange-coloured dye-reagent which when used on acid hydrolysed tissue sections reveals brilliantly stained nuclei. The shelf-life of this modified Tris-Schiff reagent is also much more than that of the conventional Schiff reagent. The in vitro absorption spectra of the orange-coloured dye-reagent together with those of the modified Tris-Schiff reagent with formalin as well as the conventional Schiff reagent with formalin are also presented. Apossible explanation for the increased shelf-life has been offered.