types of staining

Type of Staining/ Staining Technique

Major type of staining used in microbiology for identification of microorganisms are;

1. Simple staining

Using only methylene blue.

2. Differential staining

a. Gram's stain

b. Albert's stain

c. Acid fast stain 

3. Special stain

a.  -ve staining 

b. Capsular staining

c. Spore staining 

Preparation of Smear

1. Take clear, grease free slide and label it.

2. Take loop, sterilized it, touch it with colony of bacteria in culture media.

3. Spread culture and make smear in 15-20nm area of slide.

4. In case of solid medium;

Add drop of normal saline on slide before making smear.

Mix the specimen with normal saline completely and spread the mixture cover half of total slide area.

Allow it dry in air.

Fix smear by passing slide 3 times through flame 

Fixing prevent autolysis of cells.

5. In case of broth medium, don't add normal saline.

6. The smear is now ready for staining procedure.