Acridine orange can serve as a nuclear stain. When handling acridine orange, take care to wear a mask, laboratory goggles, protective clothing and gloves. Acridine orange is a respiratory and eye irritant, do not drink or directly breathe in acridine orange. 

Staining Procedures

Similarly to Azure A, was found by Kehrmann in 1906 as a component of methylene blue. Azure B was quick to be dismissed by the scientific community, with MacNeal describing it as rendundant to Azure A in 1925. Holmes and French agreed with MacNeal, although their study (1926) was conducted using impure Azure B. Ultimately, these scientists were proven wrong, and Azure B is used in a multitude of situations, including the staining of nuclei.

Azure B is an acute oral toxin. Do not swallow. If your mouth comes in contact with it, rinse mouth. Suspected carcinogen. Wash hands after use. Do not eat, drink, or smoke while using chemical. Wear PPE when using chemical, and if concerned, see a doctor. 

Staining Procedures

Carmine dye comes from crushed Dactylopius coccus or cochineal bugs. Specifically, by crushing females and their eggs, a red powder is produced, which is what makes carminic acid. Carminic acid is then boiled in water. After, aluminum salt (alum) is added, which reacts with carminic acid and is what makes the carmine dye deep scarlet red. It takes around 70,000 dried cochineal bugs to make 1kg of dye. It is suspected that carminic acid was discovered around 2000 BCE by ancient people of Mexico (specifically Puebla, Tlaxcala and Oaxaca), who harvested cochineal from the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia cochenillifera). 

Carmine is not toxic, although it has the potential to be a slight eye and skin irritant. A mask, goggles, and gloves are recommended as PPE. 

Staining Procedures

Discovered by Spanish explorers (colonizers) in 1502, was long used by the Mayans for staining cotton and medicinal use before colonization. Extracted from the logwood tree (Hematoxylon campechianum). In the middle of the 19th century, scientists used hematoxylin to stain cells for microscopy. Now, hematoxylin is the most popular nuclear stain in histology, usually accompanied by an eosin counterstain. 

Hematoxylin is a serious eye irritant. When using hematoxylin, it is recommended you equip yourself with goggles, gloves, protective clothing, and a mask or adequate ventilation.

Staining Procedures

Methyl green can be used to stain nuclei. Methyl green is a serious skin, eye, and respiratory irritant. It is also a long-term aquatic hazard (you shouldn't dump any chemical into the drain, but especially not this one. A mask, goggles, and gloves are recommended when using methyl green.

Staining Procedures

Methylene blue was discovered in 1876 and was one of the first organic dyes used in textiles. In 1891, it was discovered that methylene blue could be used to treat malaria. Eventually, methylene blue becomes the first synthetic and antiseptic dye used in therapeutics. 

Methylene blue is an acute oral toxin and serious eye irritant. Do not swallow or get in eyes. If it gets in either, rinse and call a doctor. A mask, goggles, and gloves are recommended when using methylene blue.

Staining Procedures

Phloxine B can be used to stain nuclei. Phloxine B is a short and long term aquatic hazard. You shouldnt be dumping any chemicals in the sink to begin with, but this one is aggregiously bad. Phloxine B is a combustible solid that releases carbon/sodium oxides, and hydrogen chloride/bromine gases. Do not set on fire. It is recommended you wear goggles, gloves, and a mask while handling the chemical. 

Staining Procedures