I have samples of micro stuff fixed preserved in 10% formalin solution and want to make permanent slides mounted in standard tissue-mountant.
Do I let the formalin dry out from the sample while on a slide?
Or must the formalin be rinsed out completely in some rinsing protocol?
Permanent slides from Formalin-preserved samples
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Sure Squintsalot
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Re: Permanent slides from Formalin-preserved samples
That!Sure Squintsalot wrote: ↑Thu Apr 20, 2023 4:50 pm
Or must the formalin be rinsed out completely in some rinsing protocol?
Hang the sample into ethanol 70 %. The formalin is heavier and goes to the ground. Change the ethanol after some hour. Then follow the mounting procedure for your mounting media.
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Sure Squintsalot
- Posts: 399
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2022 3:44 pm
Re: Permanent slides from Formalin-preserved samples
...I understand.
However, I'm mounting unconsolidated micro-materials (think plankton-like) and not a large tissue sample. If the formalin settles to the bottom of my vessel, it will mix with the materials that have collected there. I'd then need a way to separate the settled formaldehyde. But I see the value in this process for large samples that can be suspended.
If I could float the formaldehyde above my sample, I'd have an easy way to draw it off quickly and easily.
I'll try successive rinses in pure water; before moving on to yet another organic solvent that I don't have!
However, I'm mounting unconsolidated micro-materials (think plankton-like) and not a large tissue sample. If the formalin settles to the bottom of my vessel, it will mix with the materials that have collected there. I'd then need a way to separate the settled formaldehyde. But I see the value in this process for large samples that can be suspended.
If I could float the formaldehyde above my sample, I'd have an easy way to draw it off quickly and easily.
I'll try successive rinses in pure water; before moving on to yet another organic solvent that I don't have!