Toluidine Blue Stain Service: Detect Mast Cells, Cartilage, and GAGs with Precision

At iHisto, we provide optimized Toluidine Blue staining for selective identification of mast cells, cartilage matrix, and acidic tissue components. Leveraging its metachromatic properties, this stain is essential for connective tissue research, bone marrow evaluation, and mucinous tumor analysis.

🧪 Overview

Toluidine Blue is a basic thiazine dye known for its metachromasia — the ability to shift color based on the chemical properties of the stained tissue. It is widely used to detect:

• Sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)

• Mast cell granules

• Cartilage proteoglycans

• Acidic mucins and stromal elements

Whether you're studying mastocytosis or cartilage regeneration, Toluidine Blue offers clear, high-contrast visualization of acidic structures.

⚙️ How Toluidine Blue Staining Works

Toluidine Blue binds strongly to negatively charged tissue components. In highly sulfated regions (e.g., mast cell granules), it displays metachromasia — a purple-red shift.

Color Results:

• Mast cells, cartilage, GAGs → purple to reddish-purple (metachromatic)

• Nuclei and background → blue (orthochromatic)

This enables precise localization and assessment of acidic matrix elements.

🧬 Step-by-Step Staining Process

1. Fixation & Sectioning – FFPE or plastic-embedded tissues cut at 4–6 µm

2. Deparaffinization & Hydration – Slides rehydrated into distilled water

3. Toluidine Blue Application – Stained for a controlled time based on tissue type

4. Differentiation & Rinsing – Enhances contrast by removing excess stain

5. Dehydration & Coverslipping – Mounted with resin or aqueous media

🔬 Applications of Toluidine Blue Staining

This stain is highly versatile across clinical, toxicologic, and regenerative studies:

• Mast cell detection – Allergy models, mastocytosis, tumor infiltration

• Cartilage evaluation – OA models, scaffold testing, cartilage engineering

• Bone marrow analysis – Granule-rich hematopoietic cells

• Plastic-embedded tissue – Nerve, cartilage, and bone

• Mucinous tumor profiling – Acidic glycoprotein-rich tissues

Its metachromatic sensitivity makes it a key stain in connective tissue pathology and matrix-rich regions.

✅ Why Choose iHisto for Toluidine Blue Staining 

• ✅ Clear mast cell and cartilage matrix visualization

• ✅ High metachromasia sensitivity for acidic tissues

• ✅ Works with FFPE and plastic-embedded sections

• ✅ Compatible with nerve, cartilage, and tumor biopsies

• ✅ Whole-slide digital scanning available

• ✅ Pathologist review or mast cell quantification available

We serve clinical labs, CROs, and research institutions needing accurate GAG, mucin, or mast cell detection.

❓ FAQs 

• What does Toluidine Blue stain detect?
  It identifies acidic components such as mast cell granules, cartilage proteoglycans, and sulfated GAGs.

• What is metachromasia?
  It’s a color shift where stained tissues appear purple-red (instead of blue), indicating high acidity or sulfation.

• Can this be used on plastic-embedded tissue?
  Yes — Toluidine Blue is highly effective for plastic-embedded nerve and cartilage sections.

• Do you provide scanned slides?
  Absolutely. We offer whole-slide imaging with secure cloud or offline delivery.

📩 Request a Quote or Consultation 

Need precise detection of mast cells or cartilage matrix? iHisto’s Toluidine Blue staining service delivers high-quality, metachromatic clarity — ideal for allergy, cartilage, and connective tissue studies.

👉 Request a Quote or email us at info@ihisto.io