In situ demonstration of DNA with Schiff-type dyes prepared with meta-phosphoric or tartaric acid.

A new method for the preparation of azure A-SO2 and safranine-SO2 For use in Feulgen procedure has been described herein. The method involves the use of m-phosphoric acid or tartaric acid in place of N HCl in the preparation of these eye-reagents which exhibit enhanced pH producing increased staining intensity of the nuclei as compared with those of the controls, prepared with N HCl. Possible explanation for the increased staining intensity as well as the reason for the shorter shelf-life of these eye-reagents have been offered.