A Differential Stain for Rubber in Guayule

Abstract
The following schedule, which combines an intense blue stain for rubber with sharply contrasting red counterstains, has been found satisfactory for use in an anatomical study of rubber deposition in guayule: Cut fresh or fixed sections about 50 to 100 % thick, transfer to 50% ethanol. Extract with acetone 5 minutes, treat with 1% NaOCl 5 minutes, saponify with 10% KOH in 95% ethanol 15 minutes, rinse 3 times with 50% ethanol, stain in oil blue NA (Calco) with safranin and Congo red 30 minutes at 55° C. Rinse in 50% ethanol 2 (or more) times to remove excess stain and mount in Karo syrup.