Gram Iodine Staining Solution (Lugol)

The Lugol’s Iodine solution (500ml) is a ready-to-use solution containing iodine and potassium iodide. It is primarily used in microbiology, specifically in Gram staining, to identify bacteria. The solution acts as a stabilizer for the Crystal Violet dye, assisting in its binding to the cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria by forming a complex with the peptidoglycans of their multilayered cell wall.

The use of Lugol’s Iodine is crucial for distinguishing between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as it enables better absorption and retention of the dye in Gram-positive bacteria, making them visible under the microscope.