Mayer mucicarmine stain is commonly used to demonstrate which tissue component?

• A. Nucleic acids
• B. Mucin glycoproteins
• C. Lipids
• D. Proteins

Answer: (B)

Mucin glycoproteins. Mayer mucicarmine is used to highlight the mucin component of mucus. The carmine-based stain binds specifically to the acidic mucins (glycoprotein-rich mucin) in goblet cells and mucous glands, producing a magenta color, while nuclei are counterstained blue with Mayer’s hematoxylin. This makes mucin-containing cells and extracellular mucin stand out. Lipids, nucleic acids, and other proteins don’t produce this magenta mucin stain with this technique.