Mycological staining

The most common mycological stain is lactophenol blue. Methylene blue can also be used.

Materials 

• Fungal culture
• Ethyl alcohol 
• lactophenol blue
• glass slides
• coverslips
• inoculation needle
• dissecting microscope
• mounting solution.

Procedure

1. Examine the molds with the lens or under the dissecting microscope.
2. Remove a small piece of mycelium with a mounted wire or needle.
3. Mix with a drop of ethyl alcohol over the slide
4. When the alcohol is almost evaporated, add a drop of lactophenol blue.
5. Apply a coverslip and leave for at least 30 min before the examination
6. To preserve the slide seal the edges with a mounting solution or nail varnish