Introduction

Gram staining is a method of differentiating bacterial species and it is commonly known and used in microbiology. It is also one of the most frequently used diagnostic methods in hospital and clinical laboratories. Gram staining differentiates bacteria into two groups: Gram-positive and Gram-negative. That division is based on the two groups’ bacterial membrane structural differences, i.e. their capability of retaining the dye. Gram-positive bacteria have a thicker cellular membrane which enables retaining the dye inside the cell by treating them with iodine solution that creates insoluble iodine and primary dye complex. Gram-negative bacteria have thinner cellular membrane structure which cannot retain the dye. It washes away through the membrane and using counterstaining forms the basis for differentiating between the two bacteria groups. Gram Sodium hydrogen carbonate solution is a part of BioGnost’s BioGram Eco kit which does not contain phenol and it minimizes exposure to harmful chemicals while retaining optimal staining and diagnostic results.