What are the Applications of Toluidine Blue in Histology?
Toluidine blue is widely used for various purposes in histology, including:
Staining of mast cells: Toluidine blue is highly effective in identifying mast cells due to its metachromatic properties, which cause the granules within the cells to change color. Cartilage and mucin detection: This dye is particularly useful for visualizing cartilage and mucin due to its affinity for acidic polysaccharides. Rapid screening: It is often used for rapid screening of tissue sections due to its quick staining process. Neuroscience applications: Toluidine blue can be used to stain nerve cells and fibers, making it valuable for studying neural structures.
