Comparison of hexamethyldisilazane and critical point drying treatments for SEM analysis of anaerobic biofilms and granular sludge.
We present a fast procedure for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis in which hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) solvent, instead of the critical point drying, is used to remove liquids from a microbiological specimen. The results indicate that the HMDS solvent is suitable for drying samples of anaerobic cells for examination by SEM and does not cause cell structure disruption.
Departamento de Hidráulica e Saneamento, Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos, Av. Trabalhador São Carlense 400, São Carlos-SP, 13566-590, Brazil. juli.calabria@ig.com.br
Juliana C
JC
Araujo
Francisco C
FC
Téran
Roberto A
RA
Oliveira
Edson A A
EA
Nour
Martha A P
MA
Montenegro
José R
JR
Campos
Rosana F
RF
Vazoller
D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D019149:Bioreactors; D003890:Desiccation; D019640:Methanosarcinales / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods*; D017646:Organosilicon Compounds; D012722:Sewage / Q000382:microbiology*; D016707:Tissue Fixation
D017646:Organosilicon Compounds; D012722:Sewage; C024548:hexamethylsilazane