Bismuth specifically stains Golgi beads and interchromatin granules after fixation with glutaraldehyde, whereas it stains nucleoli, basic protein, and biogenic amines after formaldehyde fixation. Bismuth staining of sections is relatively nonspecific: it can stain glycogen, lysosomes, ribosomes, polysaccharides, ferritin, and DNA. M.A. Hayat, "Basic Techniques for TEM" p. 184 (1986).
1. Specific En Bloc Staining (Locke & Huie, 1977)
Specific En Bloc Staining (Locke & Huie, 1977). 10x5 ml Solution A (Sodium tartrate, Sodium hydroxide and Bismuth Subnitrate) 10x10 ml solution B (.2M Triethanolamine-HCl buffer).
