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A simplified technique to prepare fungal specimens for scanning electron microscopy
Cytobios
|January 1, 1979
Summary
A simplified method for preparing fungal specimens for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) uses chemical dehydration, reducing preparation time and material loss. This technique ensures good results across various fungal groups.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Microscopy
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) requires specific sample preparation techniques.
- Traditional methods can be time-consuming and may lead to sample degradation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe and discuss a simplified technique for preparing fungal specimens for SEM.
- To reduce preparation time and minimize material loss during SEM sample preparation.
Main Methods:
- Specimens were fixed using unbuffered aqueous solutions of 6% glutaraldehyde or 2% osmium tetroxide (OsO4).
- Chemical dehydration was performed using 2-methoxyethanol or 2,2-dimethoxypropane.
- The technique involved minimal changes in reagent solutions to preserve sample integrity.
Main Results:
- Good results were achieved with both glutaraldehyde (4-5 h fixation) and OsO4 (minimum 2 h fixation).
- Chemical dehydration significantly reduced overall preparation time.
- The simplified process resulted in less disturbed fungal specimens with minimal material loss.
Conclusions:
- The described simplified technique is effective for preparing fungal specimens for SEM.
- This method offers a faster and gentler alternative to traditional preparation techniques.
- The technique is applicable to diverse fungal groups, yielding high-quality SEM images.