Liofilchem Crystal Violet Solution, 1L

The Liofilchem® Crystal Violet Solution is a high-quality reagent designed for use in Gram staining, a critical microbiological technique for differentiating Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria based on their cell wall composition. This reagent is ideal for clinical, industrial, and academic microbiology laboratories.

Key Features

1. Purpose:
   • Used as the primary staining agent in the Gram staining procedure.
   • Differentiates Gram-positive bacteria (blue-stained) from Gram-negative bacteria (red-stained).
2. Composition:
   • Crystal Violet: 2%
   • Ethyl Alcohol: 20%
   • Ammonium Oxalate: 0.8%
   • Formulated for consistent and reliable staining results.
3. Packaging:
   • Available in 1L bottles, ensuring sufficient quantity for high-throughput laboratory applications.
   • Packaged in a sturdy cardboard box to protect the reagent during storage and transport.
4. Physical Properties:
   • Appearance: Clear violet-colored solution.
   • Shelf Life: 2 years when stored correctly.
5. Storage Conditions:
   • Store at 10–25°C, away from light to maintain reagent stability.
   • Avoid contamination or exposure to extreme temperatures.

Applications

1. Microbiology:
   • Essential for differentiating Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
   • Facilitates bacterial classification, aiding in diagnosis and treatment decisions.
2. Clinical Diagnostics:
   • Supports identification of pathogens in patient samples, such as blood, urine, and tissue cultures.
3. Research and Education:
   • Widely used in teaching labs for illustrating bacterial morphology and cell wall characteristics.
   • Suitable for research studies focused on bacterial resistance or taxonomy.

Technique for Gram Staining

1. Preparation and Fixation:
   • Using a clean slide, streak the culture or pathological sample.
   • Air-dry and heat-fix the slide using gentle heat.
2. Staining Procedure:
   • Step 1: Cover the slide with Crystal Violet Solution for 1 minute, then rinse gently with water.
   • Step 2: Apply Lugol-PVP Solution for 1 minute, followed by a gentle rinse with water.
   • Step 3: Decolorize using a Decolorizing Solution for 30–60 seconds until no further color is released, then rinse with water.
   • Step 4: Counterstain with Saphranine Solution for 30–60 seconds, then rinse and air dry.
3. Observation:
   • Examine the stained slide under a microscope using an immersion oil objective.
   • Gram-positive bacteria will appear blue, while Gram-negative bacteria will appear red.

Advantages

1. Reliable and Consistent:
   • Produces sharp and reproducible results, even for challenging specimens.
2. Quality-Controlled:
   • Each batch is tested with control strains:
     • Escherichia coli ATCC® 25922 (Gram-negative, red staining).
     • Staphylococcus aureus ATCC® 25923 (Gram-positive, blue staining).
3. High-Performance Staining:
   • Ensures accurate differentiation of bacterial species for diagnostic and research purposes.
4. Ease of Use:
   • Ready-to-use solution eliminates preparation errors.

Precautions

1. Handling:
   • Contains substances classified as harmful. Refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for safe handling guidelines.
   • Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, goggles, and lab coats.
2. Disposal:
   • Dispose of waste in accordance with local and national regulations for chemical waste.
3. Storage:
   • Keep tightly closed when not in use and store in a dry, cool place.

Quality Control

1. Visual Inspection:
   • Ensures the solution’s clarity, label accuracy, and packaging integrity.
2. Microbiological Validation:
   • Validated using Gram-negative and Gram-positive control strains to confirm staining accuracy.

References

1. Kruczak-Filipov, P., and R.G. Shively. "Gram stain procedure." Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook, vol. 1, 1992.
2. Murray, P.R. "Manual of Clinical Microbiology," 7th ed., American Society of Microbiology, Washington, D.C., 1999.

Technical Specifications

The Liofilchem® Crystal Violet Solution (1L) is an essential reagent for microbiology laboratories performing Gram staining. Its high-quality formulation ensures accurate and reproducible results, making it indispensable for bacterial differentiation in clinical diagnostics, research, and educational applications.