ISSN:
1059-910X
Keywords:
Phospholipids
;
Dehydrating solvent
;
Transition fluid
;
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Natural Sciences in General
Notes:
Tissue processing for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is commonly accomplished using ethanol (EtOH) as a dehydrating solvent and propylene oxide (PO) as a transition fluid. Both solvents have some undesirable properties: EtOH solubilizes lipids; PO is highly flammable, volatile, toxic, and potentially carcinogenic. Their replacement by a compound devoid of these characteristics is therefore desirable. Acetonitrile (AN) appears to be such a solvent. It is freely miscible with water, alcohols, acetone, and epoxy resins; it does not interfere with epoxy polymerization; and the resulting cured resins have excellent cutting quality and beam stability. AN is also an excellent dehydrating agent whose use does not necessitate modification of current techniques. Most importantly, the low solubility of phospholipids (PL) in AN limits the loss of membrane lipids and, hence, leads to a better preservation of tissue features.
Additional Material:
6 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jemt.1070210106
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