Lactofuchsin mount

A Lactofuchsin mount (also spelled Lacto-fuchsin or Lacto-Fuchsin) is a technique used for mounting fungi with hyphae on a microscope slide for examination.[1] The main advantage of a lactofuchsin mount is that if performed correctly, it preserves the structure and arrangement of the hyphae, if present.

Photograph of a fungus (unidentified) mounted using a Lactofuchsin mount.

Advantages

To examine the hyphae of fungi under a microscope, a wet mount is essential. While this is possible to do with a water based mount, a better result can be obtained with lactofuchsin mounting fluid, which both sticks to the cell walls and colours the cell walls red in the process. Lactofuchsin, a 1% solution of basic fuchsine in lactic acid,[2] dries much slower than water, so the slide may be preserved for a longer period, particularly if the edges of the finished slide are sealed, for example with clear nail polish.[3] In addition, the refractive index of the fluid is significantly different to that of the cell walls, which provides a stronger visual contrast of the cell walls against the background.

Disadvantages

A significant disadvantage of Lactofuchsin is its cost; prices are over $100USD for a small 20mL bottle. Only a few drops are used for each mount. Lactofuchsin is poisonous.

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References
  1. Harris, James L. (December 2000). "Safe, Low-Distortion Tape Touch Method for Fungal Slide Mounts". Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 38 (12): 4683–4684. doi:10.1128/JCM.38.12.4683-4684.2000. PMC 87667. PMID 11203439.
  2. HealthLink. "Lactofuchsin MSDS" (PDF).
  3. "Moulds under the microscope". Moulds: their isolation, cultivation, and identification. New Brunswick Museum. Retrieved 19 March 2012.


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