Albert staining principle, Procedure, USES

Albert staining is a kind of differential stain. It is used to stain the metachromatic granules in corynebacterium diphtheria.

How do I make Albert stain?

Here are the three reagents you need for Albert staining.

1. Albert Stain:
2. Albert Iodide
3. Normal saline

Which mordant is used in Albert staining ?

Albert indide is used as mordent. After Albert’s stain, slid covered with mordant (Albert iodide) for one minute.

What is the principle of albert stain technique?

Alert stain is a basic stain therefore it binds with an acidic component of the cell. The composition of Albert stain is that it is made up of two components 1. toluidine blue’ O’ and 2. malachite green both of which are basic dyes with a high affinity for acidic parts of cells.

PH of the stain is adjusted by glacial acetic acid to 2.8 which has a high affinity for basic granules of corynebacterium diphtheria.

Albert stain used for

Albert staining method is used for the identification of corynebacterium diphtheria granules in the culture or swab.

what is Albert stain procedure?

The following steps are necessary for Albert’s stain.

1. First, prepare the smear from swab or from the growing culture of bacteria. Dry in the air and fix it by passing it over the flam.
2. After fixation, cover the smear with Albert stain for 4 to 6 minutes.
3. After 6 minutes, discard the stain and add Albert iodine and wait for 1 minute. After a one-minute wash smear with normal saline.
4. Blot to dry.
5. Read the smear under a microscope.

Albert stain Result

• Bacteria cell: color: Green
• Volutin Granules color: Green- black