SURGICAL PATHOLOGY HISTOLOGY Date:
STAINING MANUAL - MINERALS AND PIGMENTS Page: 1 of 2
BI LE -  HALL'S BI LI RUBI N STAI N
PURPOSE:  Bilirubin  is  the  principal  bile  pigment,  and  is  a  normal  product
of red cell degradation. Excessive amounts of bile pigment in the liver may
be found in cases of hepatic or extrahepatic biliary obstruction. 
PRI NCI PLE:  The  oxidizing  action  of  Fouchet's  reagent  converts  the  bile
pigment  to  green  biliverdin  (if  it  has  been  transported  to  the  liver  and
reduced,  it  is  referred  to  as  bilirubin.).  Colors  range  from  olive  green  to
emerald green, depending on the concentration of bile pigment present.
CONTROL:  Tissue  with  a  known  positive  control,  an  obstructed  bile  duct.
Coverslip  slide  with  Permount,  the  fast  drying  media  leeches  out  the
staining reaction.
FI XATI VE: 10% formalin
TECHNI QUE: Cut paraffin sections 4m.
EQUI PMENT: Balance, weigh boats, acid cleaned glassware.
REAGENTS:
10% Ferri c Chl ori de:
Ferric chloride 0.5 gm
Dist illed wat er 5.0 ml
Make FRESH.
CAUTI ON: Avoi d contact and i nhal ati on.
Van Gi eson's Sol uti on:
1% Acid fuchsin 1.0 ml
Picric acid, saturated 45.0 ml
Mix well, stable for 2 WEEKS.
CAUTI ON: Avoi d contact and i nhal ati on.
Fouchet's Reagent:
Trichloracetic acid 12.5 gm
Dist illed wat er 50.0 ml
Mix well, then add:
10% ferric chloride 5.0 ml
Make FRESH discard after use.
CAUTI ON: Corrosi ve, avoi d contact and
i nhal ati on. Can cause burns.
MINERALS AND PIGMENTS
HALL'S BI LE Page: 2 of 2
SAFETY: Wear gloves, goggles and lab coat. Avoid contact and inhalation.
Ferric  chloride;  causes  GI  distress  when  ingested.  Solution  reacts  with
metal.
Trichloracetic  acid;  Corrosive  to  skin,  can  cause  burns.  Can  cause  damage
to the respiratory system on inhalation.
Picric acid; Toxic by skin exposure. Can become explosive when dry.
PROCEDURE:
1. Deparaffinize and hydrate to distilled water.
2. Fouchet's reagent, 5 minutes.
3. Rinse in tap water, followed by distilled water.
4. Van Gieson's solution, 3-5 minutes.
5. Rinse in dist illed.
6. Dehydrate, clear, and mount in PERMOUNT, or the coverslipper.
RESULTS:
Bile pigment: green
Muscle and cell cytoplasm: yellow
Collagen: red
REFERENCES:
Sheehan  D,  Hrapchak  B,  Theory  and  practice  of  Histotechnology,  2nd  Ed,
1980, pp 219, Battelle Press, Ohio
Crookham,J ,  Dapson,R,  Hazardous  Chemicals  in  the  Histopathology
Laboratory, 2nd ED, 1991, Anatech
Prepared:                                        By:                           
Approved:                                       By:                           
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PROCEDURE CARD
BI LE -  HALL'S BI LI RUBI N STAI N
CONTROL: Tissue with a known positive control, an obstructed bile duct. Coverslip slide with
Permount, the fast drying media leeches out the staining reaction.
TECHNI QUE: Cut paraffin sections 4m.
PROCEDURE:
1. Deparaffinize and hydrate to distilled water.
2. Fouchet's reagent, 5 minutes.
3. Rinse in tap water, followed by distilled water.
4. Van Gieson's solution, 3-5 minutes.
5. Rinse in distilled.
6. Dehydrate, clear, and mount in PERMOUNT, or the coverslipper.
RESULTS:
Bile pigment: green
Muscle and cell cytoplasm: yellow
Collagen: red
Fouchet's Reagent:
Trichloracetic acid 12.5 gm
Distilled water 50.0 ml
Mix well, then add:
10% ferric chloride 5.0 ml
Make FRESH, discard after use.
CAUTI ON: Corrosi ve, avoi d contact and
i nhal ati on. Can cause burns.
10%  Ferri c  Chl ori de:
Ferric chloride 0.5 gm
Distilled water 5.0 ml
Make FRESH.
CAUTI ON: Avoi d contact and i nhal ati on.
Van Gi eson's Sol uti on:
1% Acid fuchsin 1.0 ml
Picric acid, saturated 45.0 ml
Mix well, stable for 2 WEEKS.
CAUTI ON: Avoi d contact and i nhal ati on.