title: Tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine, P(CH2OH)3 - A convenient and effective new reagent for the fixation of protein samples for SEM imaging.
abstract: Tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine [P(CH2OH)3, THP] is demonstrated to be an alternative fixative to glutaraldehyde for preparation of proteinaceous specimens for SEM analysis. THP is easily prepared from commercially-available [P(CH2OH)4]Cl, and unlike many other alkylphosphines, is reasonably air-stable [>7days at pH 7-8]. Experiments carried out with chicken breast muscle, cross-sectioned perpendicular to the muscle fibres and imaged using SEM, indicate that THP effectively fixes the muscle structure with minimal discolouration of the sample.
authors.affiliation: School of Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Megan J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wyllie
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.affiliation: School of Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand. Electronic address: w.henderson@waikato.ac.nz.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Henderson
keywords: Fixative; Glutaraldehyde; SEM; Tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine