What is carbol-fuchsin?

Carbol-fuchsin is a staining solution used in microbiology and histology to visualize certain types of bacteria and other microorganisms. It is composed of basic fuchsin, phenol, and water, and is usually used in a hot or cold staining protocol. The phenol in the solution helps to penetrate the cell walls of certain microorganisms, making them more easily visible under a microscope. Carbol-fuchsin is commonly used in the Ziehl-Neelsen staining method to detect acid-fast bacilli, such as those that cause tuberculosis. It is also used in the Kinyoun staining method, which is a modified version of the Ziehl-Neelsen staining method. Carbol-fuchsin can be stored for several months if kept in a cool, dark place.