Synopsis
The selective staining of glycogen by Best's Carmine and the other dyes used in a similar manner (e.g. Alizarin Brilliant Blue BS, Alizarin Red S, Gallein and Haematoxylin) is due to hydrogen bonding between phenolate (−O−) groups of the dye and glycogen hydroxyl groups. The variation in intensity obtained with different dyes may be explained by their stereochemistry: the best stains for glycogen had electron-donating groups (hydroxyl or amine) placed so as to increase the basicity of the phenolate anions and in addition lacked symmetry, so increasing their ability to bind by van der Waals forces.
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Horobin, R.W., Murgatroyd, L.B. The staining of glycogen with Best's Carmine and similar hydrogen bonding dyes. A mechanistic study. Histochem J 3, 1–9 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01686501
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01686501