Hematein

/ˈhɛmətiːn/ noun

Definition

A red or brownish organic compound derived from logwood that is used as a dye and indicator in microscopy to stain blood and tissues.

Etymology

From Greek 'hema' (blood) + '-ein' (chemical suffix), named for its ability to color blood cells and tissues, extracted from logwood tree extract.

Kelly Says

Hematein is the key ingredient in hematoxylin stain, used in virtually every pathology lab worldwide—when you look at a tissue sample under a microscope in a hospital, the pink and purple colors come from this ancient dye.

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