Indigocarmine
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Indigocarmine is a blue powder with a copper tinge, easily soluble in water but insoluble in alcohol. It serves as an excellent plasma stain and can be combined with carmine, hematoxylin, and particularly picric acid for staining connective tissue blue and muscle yellow-green.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
INDIGOCARMINE (Indigocarmine, blauer Carmin, Indigo soluble), K- or Na-salt of indigosulfonic acid ho,s-/\ - so ! -NH C - C < \/" CO NH - _/\- SO.H, \/ which is one of the three paired sulfuric acids of indigo; a blue powder with a copper tinge, easily soluble in water and completely insoluble in alcohol. Its apparent solubility in alcohol indicates impurities of other paired sulfuric acids of indigo. Indigocarmine is an excellent plasma stain. It combines with carmine, hematoxylin, and especially with picric acid (Cal-leja). Sections previously stained with carmine or hematoxylin are stained in a solution of picro-indigocarmine (1 g of Indigocarmine in 400 cm3 of saturated aqueous solution of picric acid) for 10-15 minutes. Washed in weak acetic acid. Results: connective tissue--blue, muscles--yellow-green. Picro-indigocarmine can also be combined with previous staining with basic fuchsin and safranin.
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Cite this page
“Indigocarmine.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/indigocarmine/