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The osmotic effect of glutaraldehyde‐based fixatives on plant storage tissue
Author(s) -
Coetzee J.,
Merwe C. F.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of microscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2818
pISSN - 0022-2720
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2818.1986.tb02705.x
Subject(s) - glutaraldehyde , fixative , tonicity , mannitol , buffer (optical fiber) , osmotic pressure , chemistry , osmotic concentration , phosphate buffered saline , fixation (population genetics) , chromatography , osmosis , osmole , biophysics , biochemistry , biology , membrane , cytoplasm , telecommunications , computer science , gene , endocrinology
SUMMARY Mass changes were used to monitor water gain or loss during fixation of plant tissue. Mannitol was used as reference osmoticum. Glutaraldehyde in Na‐Na‐phosphate, Na‐cacodylate or PIPES buffer exerts an osmotic effect on plant tissue. This effect is in addition to the osmotic effect of the buffer. The effective osmolarity of the fixative depends on the glutaraldehyde concentration, the buffer type, the buffer concentration and the tonicity of the tissue. Relationships among these parameters are non‐linear. Graphs are given to find the effective osmotic pressure of a buffered or unbuffered fixative containing 2% glutaraldehyde, for use with plant storage tissue with tonicity between 350 and 850 mOsm.