Abstract

CHEMISTRY AND HISTOCHEMISTRY OF GRAM STAINING OF DYES ON BACTERIAL PEPTIDOGLYCAN

Viral Prajapati, Dr. H. D. Karen, Dr. Pankaj H. Prajapati, Dr. Dhrubo Jyoti Sen* and Dr. C. N. Patel

Abstract

Mostly all dyes used for Gram staining have methyl group and peptidoglycan layer of bacterial cell wall also have methyl group. In 3D structure of methyl group has three hydrogen atoms bound with carbon atom in space which binds with peptidoglycan layer to make a stain to differentiate between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteric. The fixation of stain is activated by using mordant (iodine) which is then washed out by alcohol and crystal violet and safranin colours bind on peptidoglycan layer of bacterial cell wall.

Keywords: Peptidoglycan, Glucosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, Nacetylmuramic acid, Coccus, Bacillus, Vibrio, Spirillum, Crystal violet, Safranin, Iodine, Fuchsine, Acid fuchsine, Basic fuchsine, New fuchsine.