19. What Is Acid-alcohol Decolourizer?
3% HCI in 95% alcohol (methylated spirit). This is useful in dilrerentiating saprophytic Mycobacteria from pathogenic Mycobacteria Pathogenic Mycobacteria are both acid and alcohol fast but saprophytic Mycobacterla are only acid-fast Saprophytic Mycobacterla can get declourized by alcohol. 95% alcohol can be used as a secondary decolorizer after decolourizing with acid Especially used in staining smears prepared from urine that may contain Mycobacterium smegmatis.
