A Sample Transfer Procedure For Scanning Electron Microscopy

Abstract

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) preparation procedures can limit and restrict sampling and transportation of plant tissue for SEM analysis. At nurseries throughout the United States leaf samples of Acer rubrum L. ‘October Glory,’ were placed in glutaraldehyde and transported by parcel post at ambient temperatures in mailing sacks. Similar leaf samples were fixed in glutaraldehyde, shipped by small package air express in ice 4°C (40°F) within stainless steel thermos bottles. Upon receipt, both groups of samples were processed in the laboratory using standard SEM procedures and examined with an SEM. Laboratory controls were performed simultaneously at Delaware, OH under standard SEM procedures. Samples shipped by air express in ice appeared similar to specimens from the laboratory controls when evaluated with the SEM. Downy surface wax was not altered. Leaf surfaces of specimens that were shipped by parcel post at ambient temperatures were altered, lacking downy wax and possessing lesion-like areas. Rapid transfers of fixed specimens in ice reduces fixation and temperature-induced artifacts when shipped by express air freight.