Lactophenol blue solution is a mixture of glycerol, phenol, water blue and lactic acid in aqueous solution. It is used especially in mycology for the examination of fungi. This special staining solution offers excellent properties for the visualization of fungal structures and contributes significantly to the differentiated observation of these organisms.

In this solution, water blue acts as the primary dye, producing an intense blue coloration of the fungal structures due to physicochemical interactions with the biological materials of the fungal cells. No actual chemical reaction takes place, but the water blue binds to specific components of the fungal cells, increasing contrast and allowing for more detailed examination.

The mixture of glycerol and phenol in the solution acts as a medium that facilitates the penetration of the dye into the cells. These substances act like plasticizers and penetrate cell membranes, making it easier for the water blue to enter the cells. This is a primarily physical process that helps to preserve cell structures during the staining process.

Lactic acid acts as a preservative and helps to preserve the structure of the fungal cells during examination. This is accomplished by allowing the acidic environment created by the lactic acid to stabilize the cell structures. Again, this is a physical effect and not an actual chemical reaction.