Bromphenol Blue as A Stain for Muscle Striations

Sections from formalin-fixed muscle are stained 4-24 hr with a 0.05% solution of bromphenol blue in 2% acetic acid, rinsed with water and placed in 0.5% acetic acid for 5-10 min. They are then treated 30 sec with tap water substitute (KHCO3, 0.2 gm; MgSO4, 2 gm; distilled water, 100 ml), rinsed, dehydrated in alcohol, cleared in xylene and covered in a polystyrene mountant Striatums of both cardiac and skeletal muscle fibers are fully resolved under oil immersion, against the blue background of the other parts of the fibers.