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New histochemical techniques for the demonstration of carboxyl groups in mucosubstances

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Synopsis

The histochemical demonstration of the carboxyl groups of mucosubstances was studied by two methods at the light and electron microscopic levels. Conditions for activating carbohydrate carboxyl groups were elucidated from which a modified carbodiimide reaction procedure was worked out. With this procedure several acid mucosubstances could be demonstrated; some were characterized as sialomucoproteins. The mechanism of the carbodiimide reaction is discussed.

A method is also discussed for increasing the electron opacity of Alcian Blue-stained mucosubstances with a sulphide-silver reaction.

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Geyer, G. New histochemical techniques for the demonstration of carboxyl groups in mucosubstances. Histochem J 3, 241–250 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01005223

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