Histochemical detection of sialic acid residues using periodate oxidation.

The use of low concentrations of periodate for the detection of sialic acid residues in tissue sections has been investigated. Oxidation of aqueous solutions of sugar glycosides with 0.4 mM periodate revealed that sialic acid was oxidized more rapidly than other sugars found in glycoproteins. Sequential treatment of tissue sections with 0.4 mM periodate for 30 min followed by Schiff's reagent stained sialic acid residues but other sugar components were not stained under these conditions.