THE SEPARATION OF ORCEIN INTO FOUR FRACTIONS BY CHROMATOGRAPHY AND THE STAINING QUALITIES OF EACH FRACTION

Abstract
The absorption spectra, paper chromatography, column chromatography, paper electrophoresis, and staining characteristics of synthetic and natural orcein were studied. The following conclusions were reached: (1) Orcein is a mixture of closely related amphoteric dyes which may be separated into 4 principal colored fractions; (2) The same fractions are present in orcein from natural as well as from synthetic sources; (3) Orcein staining of tissue is relatively insensitive to pH and therefore probably reacts through non-ionic bonds. In addition, Fraction II reacts as a modified basic dye; (4) Whole orcein or its fractions are excellent general tissue stains as well as elastic tissue and chromosome stains. Fraction IV has poor staining qualities.

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