An improved method for preparing microorganism laden alginate bead specimens for accurate Scanning Electron Microscope examination

✍ Scribed by D. N. Bevan; C. D. Gilson; A. Thomas

• Publisher: Springer-Verlag
• Year: 1995
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 750 KB
• Volume: 9
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0951-208X
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00158546

✦ Synopsis

The distribution of biomass encapsulated within alginate beads can be examined using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Existing methods for the preparation of suitable specimens are extremely time consuming, involving fixing of samples with glutaraldehyde, dehydrating with successive acetone washings and Iinal drying using a critical point technique. These preparations are necessary to avoid signigcaut specimen shrinkage, however, the resultant specimens are sometimes difficult to analyse using an SEM or light microscope. A reliable quick method has been developed where alginate specimens are directly mounted using a water based adhesive, then dried under controlled conditious. These specimens were found to be robust enough for SEM processing and gave true measurements of the original alginate beads iucluding microorganism orientation.