Periodic acid-Schiff reagent will stain carbohydrates, especially
polysaccharides.

Alcian blue/yellow is used for anionically substituted polysaccharides.

Methods have been described by A.H.L. Chamberlain, P. Angell and H.S.
Campbell  "Staining procedures for characterising biofilms in corrosion
investigations"  British Corrosion Journal, 1988, Vol. 23, No 3  pp. 197,198

Both of these stains are non-UV. the paper gives a procedure used for
removing and staining biofilms from copper pipes, but also gives the
traditional references for the staining techniques.

Hope this helps

Peter

> ----------
> From:         Cochran, Wendy[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Reply To:     Confocal Microscopy List
> Sent:         October 25, 1999 5:09 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Alginate stain
>
> I am looking for a fluorescent (non-UV excited) stain for bacterial
> alginate.  Any suggestions?
>
> Wendy
>