Recipe for Crystal Violet for the Gram Stain

This is the recipe for the crystal violet stain used in the Gram stain and other staining procedures.

• 2 g crystal violet
• 20 ml 95% ethyl alcohol
• 0.8 g ammonium citrate monohydrate
• 80 ml deionized water

1. Dissolve 2 g crystal violet in 20 ml of 95% ethyl alcohol.
2. Dissolve 0.8 g ammonium oxalate monohydrate in 80 ml deionized water.
3. Mix the crystal violet and ammonium oxalate monohydrate solutions to make the crystal violet stain. Filter the stain if necessary.