Development and Evaluation of Betalain-Rich Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) Root Extract as a Natural Staining Agent for Microscopic Bacterial Diagnosis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61856/fw584z24Keywords:
Beta vulgaris, Betalain, bacterial pigmentation, iodine, green chemistryAbstract
Bacterial staining is an important procedure in microbiological examination; however, the routine use of conventional chemical stains raises concerns regarding human health and environmental safety. This experimental laboratory study investigated the preliminary microscopic staining potential of an aqueous Betalain extract obtained from Beta vulgaris as a natural alternative for staining environmental bacterial isolates. Aqueous extracts were prepared at concentrations 0.5%, 1%, and 3% and applied to heat-fixed smears of environmental bacterial isolates, including Bacillus and Streptomyces. Three independent replicates were performed for each concentration. Staining performance was evaluated using a semi-quantitative visual scoring system based on color retention, clarity of bacterial morphology, contrast between bacterial cells and the background, and resistance to stain loss during washing. samples treated with iodine as a mordant were compared with untreated samples. The results showed that staining intensity and microscopic contrast improved with increasing extract concentration, with the 3% extract providing the best overall staining performance. The use of iodine further enhanced dye retention and improved the visualization of bacterial morphological features. These findings indicate that aqueous Beta vulgaris extract, particularly when combined with iodine, demonstrates preliminary potential as an environmentally friendly natural stain for microscopic bacterial examination.
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