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Published on: April 12, 2018
An improved clearing and mounting solution to replace chloral hydrate in microscopic applications.
Thomas S Villani1, Adolfina R Koroch2, James E Simon3
1New Use Agriculture and Natural Plant Products Program, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES), Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 59 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901 USA ; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 160 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854 USA.
Visikol™ is a novel clearing agent that effectively replaces regulated chloral hydrate for microscopic plant sample examination. This new formulation provides excellent clarity and tissue resolution for botanical research and quality control.
Area of Science:
- Botany
- Microscopy
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Chloral hydrate is a traditional clearing agent for microscopic examination.
- Regulatory restrictions on chloral hydrate in the United States create challenges for its acquisition and use.
- A need exists for an effective and accessible alternative clearing agent for botanical samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce Visikol™, a proprietary formulation designed as an efficient replacement for chloral hydrate.
- To evaluate the efficacy of Visikol™ as a clearing agent for various plant specimens.
- To compare the performance of Visikol™ with chloral hydrate in microscopic analysis.
Main Methods:
- Fresh and dry plant samples including ginger, maté, lime basil, oregano, and Arabidopsis thaliana were utilized.
- Specimens were cleared using either Visikol™ or a chloral hydrate solution.
- Cleared samples were examined and compared using light microscopy.
Main Results:
- Visikol™ effectively cleared all plant specimens examined, both fresh and dry.
- Microscopic examination revealed that Visikol™ provided comparable clarity and resolution to chloral hydrate.
- Diagnostic characteristics of plant materials were clearly identifiable using Visikol™.
Conclusions:
- Visikol™ is a successful new method for clearing plant specimens for microscopic examination.
- The formulation is as effective as chloral hydrate in achieving tissue transparency and cellular resolution.
- Visikol™ is suitable for applications in botanical research, quality control, and educational settings.
