BD 212543 - Gram Iodine Stain Reagent Mordant Solution for Gram Staining in Bacteriological Analysis

BD 212543 - Gram Iodine Stain Reagent Mordant Solution for Gram Staining in Bacteriological Analysis

The BD 212543 Gram Iodine Stain is a high-quality, ready-to-use reagent formulated for use as the mordant step in the Gram staining procedure. Manufactured by BD (Becton Dickinson), this reagent enhances the differentiation between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by forming a crystal violet-iodine complex within bacterial cell walls. This mordant function is essential to ensure accurate visualization of bacterial morphology under a microscope. The BD Gram Iodine Stain is widely used in clinical, research, veterinary, and industrial microbiology laboratories, offering consistent and reliable staining performance for microbial identification.

Key Benefits

The BD Gram Iodine Stain provides uniform and reproducible staining results, ensuring accurate bacterial differentiation. Its pre-mixed, ready-to-use formulation eliminates the need for manual preparation, reducing variability and saving valuable laboratory time. The reagent maintains stability and staining intensity across multiple uses, supporting high-volume laboratory workflows. BDs strict manufacturing standards guarantee consistency, purity, and quality in every batch, ensuring reliable results even in critical diagnostic testing scenarios.

Compatibility and Applications

The BD 212543 Gram Iodine Stain is compatible with BDs complete line of Gram stain reagents, including BD Crystal Violet and BD Safranin. It is used as the second reagent (mordant) in the four-step Gram staining process. This reagent is suitable for bacterial differentiation in clinical specimens, culture isolates, food and water testing, and industrial hygiene applications. The Gram stain method distinguishes Gram-positive organisms, which retain the crystal violet-iodine complex, from Gram-negative organisms, which lose it during decolorization. This process remains a fundamental diagnostic tool in bacteriology for initial organism classification.

Usage Guidelines

Prepare a fixed bacterial smear on a clean glass slide. After applying BD Gram Crystal Violet and rinsing, flood the slide with BD Gram Iodine Stain and allow it to react for approximately one minute. Rinse gently with distilled water, then proceed with the decolorization step using BD Gram Decolorizer, followed by counterstaining with BD Gram Safranin. Examine the stained smear under oil immersion microscopy. Gram-positive organisms will appear deep purple, while Gram-negative organisms will appear pink to red. Always use aseptic technique and avoid cross-contamination between reagents.

Certifications, Safety Standards, and Regulatory Approvals

The BD 212543 Gram Iodine Stain is produced under ISO 13485 and ISO 9001 certified quality management systems and meets FDA and CE regulatory standards for in vitro diagnostic (IVD) use. It is manufactured in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and validated according to CLSI and ISO 11133 guidelines for microbiological testing reagents. Each batch undergoes stringent quality control to verify color intensity, stability, and performance consistency using reference bacterial strains such as Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative).

Comparison with Competitor Products

Compared to manually prepared iodine solutions or competitor brands, BD Gram Iodine Stain offers superior stability, clarity, and consistency. While homemade reagents can vary in iodine concentration and reactivity, BDs standardized formula ensures optimal mordant activity for reliable cell wall differentiation. The reagents balanced composition minimizes overstaining or under-mordanting, improving microscopic visualization and diagnostic precision. Its ready-to-use liquid format and consistent performance make BD the preferred choice in both clinical and industrial microbiology laboratories.

Typical User Profile and Application Scenarios

This product is intended for use by clinical microbiologists, laboratory technologists, and research professionals involved in bacterial identification and staining procedures. It is commonly used in hospital diagnostic laboratories, pharmaceutical microbiology, food safety testing, environmental testing, and academic teaching labs. The BD 212543 Gram Iodine Stain is ideal for routine Gram staining and confirmatory bacterial morphology studies across diverse microbial sample types.

Best Practices for Use and Maintenance

Store the BD Gram Iodine Stain at 1530C, tightly capped, and protected from direct sunlight. Do not freeze the reagent. Inspect the solution for signs of precipitation or discoloration before use, as these may indicate degradation. Use only clean pipettes or droppers to dispense the reagent to prevent contamination. Dispose of waste materials in accordance with institutional safety procedures. Regularly validate staining performance using known Gram-positive and Gram-negative control organisms to ensure ongoing accuracy and reagent integrity.

Regulatory and Safety Information

This product is intended for professional laboratory use only. The reagent contains iodine and should be handled with care. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, lab coats, and eye protection, when handling. In case of contact, rinse thoroughly with water. Dispose of used slides, coverslips, and staining waste in accordance with Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) protocols and local environmental safety regulations. Refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for detailed hazard and handling information.

How to Order

To purchase the BD 212543 Gram Iodine Stain, add the product to your cart and complete the secure checkout process on the CIA Medical website. For bulk or institutional orders, contact CIA Medical customer service at (312) 275-5850 or use the online inquiry form. CIA Medical provides competitive pricing, fast shipping, and expert support for all BD BBL and Difco microbiology staining reagents and laboratory supplies.