Melzer’s reagent is a solution of elemental iodine, potassium iodide and chloral hydrate in water. It is a diagnostic reagent used particularly in mycology. Apart from water, it is one of the most commonly used media for examining fungi. Melzer’s reagent has become a popular mounting medium in herbarium taxonomy because it optically homogenises and clears often troublesome dead cell contents; its high viscosity also suppresses Brownian motion.

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