Use of the Natural Pigments of Red Beet Root Pomace (Beta vulgaris L.) to Develop a Mycological Stain: An eco-friendly Alternative Substitute

Abstract

The deleterious effects of synthetic dyes evoked great enthusiasm in many scientists to search for eco-friendly natural colorants for morphological study and identification of microorganisms. The aim of the study was to develop a mycological staining reagent from the red pigments extracted from beet root pomace (Beta vulgaris L.). Beet root rich in water soluble betalains was extracted with distilled water at 40ºC.The conventional easy and economical wet mount procedure was followed to prepare the fungal slides. Glycerol was used as a hygroscopic agent which did not affected the colour of the extract. In the current investigation the extract was evaluated as a staining reagent to study the morphology of the test fungal samples viz. Rhizopus sp., Microsporum gypseum and Aspergillus niger. The study revealed that the use of citric acid buffer intensified its red colour potentially at pH 5.This novel staining reagent was proved to be reliable and safe with satisfactory visual clarity of the characteristic fungal structures. In conclusion, this ecofriendly alternative method of staining by such non-toxic vegetal active principle provided a promising way to support environmental sustainability.

Potential of Sappan Wood, Purple Cabbage and Beetroot Extract in Sperm Staining

“…The data indicates that the pH conditions of the extracts yielded improved nuclear staining due to appropriate acidification. This is in line with several studies on acid beet staining on mycological preparations (18), histological preparations (27), onion bulb tissue preparations (30), sperm (24), also staining with black rice, butterfly pea flowers are acidic in staining sperm (24,25). Beets generally contain betalain pigments (23).…”

Application of ultrasound technology for extraction of color pigments from plant sources and their potential bio‐functional properties: A review

“…Betanin and vulgaxanthine are the two chief pigments present in red beetroots. The amaranth plants are short-lived herbs, cultivated as leafy vegetables, grains, or ornamental plants, and betacyanin is mainly present in their tissue (Sutradhar & Bhattacharya, 2021). The prickly pear and red pitahaya also contain betacyanins, betaxanthins, and their isomers resulting in aesthetically pleasing colorants (Gengatharan et al, 2015).…”

Role of FNAC in Identifying the Mysterious Mite

“…Furthermore, the samples were stained with beetroot and Giemsa stain to identify fungi, as beetroot stain was used to identify fungal or parasitic organisms. [ 1 2 3 ] Surprisingly, the smear showed a worm-like organism which is thin, slender colorless thread-like with a blunt head and tail tip, free of a nucleus were identified which raised the suspicion of a parasite ( Figure 3 [ c and d ]). The smears also showed hypersegmented neutrophils and macrocytic red blood cells suggestive of nutritional deficient anemia, which predisposes to parasitic infection.…”

“… The first picture [ 1 ] cross-section of the mite in the H and E stained section of incisinal biopsy. Peripheral blood smear stained with different cytological stains 2- Leishman, 3-Giemsa, 4 - Beetroot, 5 and 6-PAP …”