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Use of freeze‐substitution and molecular distillation drying in the preparation of Dunaliella parva for ion localization studies by X‐ray microanalysis
Author(s) -
Hajibagheri M. A.,
Flowers T. J.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
microscopy research and technique
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1097-0029
pISSN - 1059-910X
DOI - 10.1002/jemt.1070240505
Subject(s) - microanalysis , potassium , sodium , distillation , chloride , salt (chemistry) , chemistry , substitution (logic) , ion , chromatography , mineralogy , analytical chemistry (journal) , nuclear chemistry , botany , biology , organic chemistry , computer science , programming language
The determination of ion concentrations within cells and sub‐cellular compartments remains a difficult procedure, as the volumes to be analyzed are rather small. X‐ray microanalysis is sufficiently sensitive, and has adequate resolution, to measure these concentrations. The major difficulties are related to the preparation of material for analysis. We have compared the measurement of sodium, potassium, and chloride contents in a salt tolerant unicellular alga, Dunaliella parva , following either freeze‐substitution (using two different resins) or molecular distillation drying. All three procedures gave similar results: after freeze substitution, ion contents were marginally (but not significantly) higher following embedding in Nanoplast MUV 116 resin than in Spurr resin. Since the Nanoplast can be polymerised at low temperatures, it has advantages over the Spurr resin. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.