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Updated: Oct 21, 2026

Preparation of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Organisms Using Chemical Drying for Morphological Analysis in Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
Published on: January 7, 2019
Liquid substitution: a versatile procedure for SEM specimen preparation of biological materials without drying or
1Botanisches Institut, Universität, Bonn, Germany.
Abstract:
Certain liquids with a very low vapour pressure, such as glycerol or triethylene glycol, can be used to infiltrate biological specimens so that they may be observed in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) without drying. The conductive properties of the fluids allow specimens to be examined either uncoated or with very thin coatings. The advantages of liquid substitution include the retention of lipids, waxes, loose particles, and surface contaminants. Since the procedure does not require expensive equipment, it offers an alternative to critical point drying or cryopreparation. For certain types of specimens, liquid substitution may represent the best preparation procedure. In addition, the fluids themselves may be imaged directly in the SEM, or indirectly by cathodoluminescence following labelling with fluorochromes.
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