Fuchsine

Fuchsine

Chemical structure of rosaniline hydrochloride, a component of fuchsine.

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Crystals of basic fuchsine.

Fuchsine, also known as basic fuchsine, is a magenta dye with the chemical formula C₂₀H₁₉N₃·HCl. It is a mixture of rosaniline, pararosaniline, and new fuchsine. Fuchsine is used in various applications, including as a biological stain and in the manufacture of Schiff reagent.

Chemical Properties

Fuchsine is a triphenylmethane dye, which means it is derived from the triphenylmethane structure. The dye is typically a mixture of several components, primarily rosaniline and pararosaniline. The presence of these components gives fuchsine its characteristic magenta color.

Uses

Fuchsine is widely used in histology and microbiology as a staining agent. It is a key component in the Gram stain procedure, which is used to classify bacteria into Gram-positive and Gram-negative groups. Fuchsine is also used in the Ziehl-Neelsen stain for identifying acid-fast bacteria, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

In addition to its use in biological staining, fuchsine is employed in the preparation of the Schiff reagent, which is used in the Feulgen stain to detect DNA in cell samples.

Safety

Fuchsine is considered a hazardous substance and should be handled with care. It is classified as a potential carcinogen, and exposure should be minimized. Appropriate safety measures, such as wearing gloves and protective eyewear, should be taken when handling fuchsine.

Related Pages

• Triphenylmethane dye
• Gram stain
• Ziehl-Neelsen stain
• Schiff reagent
• Histology