Glutaraldehyde Fixation

Glutaraldehyde fixation is a chemical technique used in biochemistry, histology and electron microscopy to preserve and protect biological samples. It is a highly effective fixative that crosslinks the primary amines of proteins, effectively preserving the structure of the tissue. Glutaraldehyde is a dialdehyde of the pentane family and has a pungent aroma and irritates eyes and respiratory tract, so care should be taken when handling this chemical. It is most commonly used in concentrations ranging between 0.5-4% depending on the application. In electron microscopy, glutaraldehyde fixation provides excellent contrast, effectively preserving ultrastructure of the sample. The sample is immersed in a bath of glutaraldehyde for 1-2 hours, and then post-fixed with osmium tetroxide. This process fixes the tissues and helps prepare them for imaging under an electron microscope. Glutaraldehyde fixation is widely used in histology to preserve biological samples such as tissues, organs and cells for microscopy. It is considered to be a superior fixative to formalin, because it preserves antigenicity better; this makes it an important tool for immunohistochemistry. In summary, glutaraldehyde fixation is a highly effective method of preserving biological samples for use in electron microscopy and light microscopy. It is widely used and provides superior fixative properties to its alternatives. When handling it, precautions must be taken due to its irritative properties, but when used safely with care, it can provide valuable scientific insight into biological structure and function.