Recipe for Crystal Violet for the Gram Stain

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by Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
Updated February 02, 2019

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

Crystal Violet Ingredients

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

Prepare Crystal Violet Stain

  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.