|
Medical Definition of Schiff's reagent
1. An aqueous solution of basic fuchsin or pararosaniline which is decolorised by sulfur dioxide, commonly prepared by addition of hydrochloric acid to a dye solution containing a metabisulphite or bisulphite salt; used for aldehydes and in histochemistry to detect polysaccharides, DNA, and proteins. See: Feulgen stain, periodic acid-Schiff stain, ninhydrin-Schiff stain for proteins. (05 Mar 2000)