Leaf clearing for microscopy

[Gary Cote]

Greetings,
Has anyone had experience with leaf clearing for microscopy?  We started
with a published procedure for clearing grape leaves.  The published
procedure uses 10% Na hypochlorite to destroy chlorophyll and other
pigments, followed by washing in water, dehydration with EtOH, switching to
xylenes, and mounting in Permount.  We've been using Clorox, however,
(about 5% Na hypo).  We find that our leaf pieces usually (but not always)
begin to disintegrate when transferred from bleach to water.

Any suggestions welcome.

Gary

Dr. Gary Coté
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
Box 6931
Radford University
Radford, VA 24142-6931

Ph: 540-831-5630
Fax: 540-831-5129
email: gcote at radford.edu
http://www.radford.edu:8800/~gcote/

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