title: The use of an optical brightener in the study of plant structure.
abstract: An optical brightener Calcoflour White M2R New has been used to stain cell walls of higher plants. It can be used either as a vital stain for intact plants or for hand sections and plastic-embedded thin sections. Walls are brilliantly fluorescent while most cytoplasmic components are normally unstained. The brightener binds strongly to cellulose, carboxylated polysaccharides, and callose. Staining for 20 sec to 2 min in a 0.01% solution of the brightener is preferred for most purposes.
mesh_terms: D002473:Cell Wall; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010944:Plants; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013267:Stilbenes; D014227:Triazines
chemical_list: D013267:Stilbenes; D014227:Triazines