Final answer:
The primary stain in the Kinyoun acid-fast staining method is carbol fuchsin, while the primary stain in the Ziehl-Neelsen method is carbol fuchsin combined with phenol.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the Kinyoun acid-fast staining method, the primary stain is carbol fuchsin. This stain contains basic fuchsin, which is a red dye. It is used to stain acid-fast bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The carbol fuchsin stain binds to the mycolic acid in the cell wall of acid-fast bacteria, making them visible under a microscope.
In contrast, the primary stain in the Ziehl-Neelsen method is also carbol fuchsin. However, it is a combination of basic fuchsin and phenol, which is a disinfectant. The addition of phenol helps to enhance the stain penetration into the mycobacterial cell wall.
Learn more about Primary stains in acid-fast staining methods