Staining of intestinal protozoa (Entamoeba spp.) using extracts from henna (Lawsonia inermis), pandan (Pandanus odorus) and a commercial dye

• Main Authors: Nor Afandy H, Noor Hayati M.I, Chan, B.T.E, Ismail M.G. (eds.), Kebangsaan Malaysia Univ. (UKM), Jalan Raja Muda Abd. Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). Dept. of Parasitology
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) 2002
• Subjects: DYES; ENTAMOEBA; EXTRACTOS; EXTRACTS; EXTRAIT; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_10624; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_13434; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_16257; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_2425; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_2767; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_3924; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_4533; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_5531; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_6268; INTESTIN; INTESTINES; INTESTINOS; LAWSONIA INERMIS; MALAISIE; MALASIA; MALAYSIA; MORFOLOGIA VEGETAL; MORPHOLOGIE VEGETALE; PANDANUS; PLANT MORPHOLOGY; PROTOZOA; PROTOZOO; TEINTURE; TINTES
• ISBN: 9832181321; 9789832181323

Colour dyes from the leaves of henna or inai (Lawsonia inermis) and fragrant screw pine or pandan (Pandanus odorus) and a commercial dye were used as temporary alternative stains against the iodine standard in wet staining method of the intestinal protozoa, Entamoeba histolytica and E. coli. The study emphasised the ability of the individual stain to demonstrate the presence of protozoa in faecal samples and to clearly define their morphology. The stability potential of the individual preparation was also evaluated. Henna dye was extracted from the leaves using water whereas pandan dye was extracted in methanol. The commercial dye was prepared as an aqueous solution. As test samples, monkey faeces positive for E. histolytica and E. coli were used. The study also quantified cyst size of the parasites. Using light microscopy, the results showed that protozoan cysts stained by inai extract yielded good colour absorption. The distinct morphology of the chromatin and placement of the karyosome, facilitated easy and quick identification. Specimens stained with pandan extract showed fair colour absorption. Although the general morphology of the protozoa was discernible using this extract, it was less distinct when compared with inai extract. The commercial dye gave relatively good species differentiation between E. histolytica and E. coli. The cyst size of the protozoa stained with different test stains was comparable to that with the iodine standard. The average diameter of E. histolytica cysts was 1l.68±0.65 µm in samples stained with inai, 12.69±0.44 µm with iodine, 12.58±1.07 µm with pandan extract and 13.06±1.54 µm with commercial dye. With E. coli cysts stained by inai, pandan, commercial dye and iodine, it was 19.98±2.52, 21.12±2.68, 16.14±3.42 and 20.22±2.14 µm, respectively. On the stability of coloration, all three alternative dyes were unable to retain the colour in the stained specimens beyond 10 minutes. Ina i stain remained visible between 6 to 10 minutes, whereas the colour intensity of pandan extract and commercial dye began to fade after 4 to 6 minutes.