How To Make 2.5 Glutaraldehyde From Chemicals

2.5% glutaraldehyde fixative is mainly composed of glutaraldehyde and phosphate, pH 7.2~7.4. 2.5% glutaraldehyde fixative is mainly used as a fixative for electron microscopy. The fixative is good for fixing fine structures of nuclei and cell pulp and is often used for the fixation of electron microscopy specimens.

The purpose of fixation is to prevent bacterial corrosion and autolysis of tissues and to preserve the inherent cellular material. Fixatives can coagulate or precipitate intracellular or tissue fluid, glycogen, etc. It keeps the cell or tissue essentially the same substance as when it was living, hardens the tissue, and facilitates block cutting.

How to prepare 2.5% glutaraldehyde from chemicals? Here are the method and specific steps.

Preparation of glutaraldehyde fixative

(a). Formulation of phosphate buffer solution.

Liquid A: 0.2M disodium hydrogen phosphate reservoir solution.

Na₂HPO₄.9H₂O — 17.81g.

Or: Na₂HPO₄.7H₂O — 26.83g.

Or: Na₂HPO₄.7H₂O –35.82g.

Add double distilled water to 500ml.

Liquid B: 0.2M sodium dihydrogen phosphate stock solution.

NaH₂PO₄.H₂O — 13.8g.

Or: NaH₂PO₄.2H₂O — 15.61g.

Add double distilled water to 600ml.

For use, mix 40.5ml of liquid A and 9.5ml of liquid B into 0.2M phosphate buffer. (ph value 7.4).

(b). Formulation of 2.5% glutaraldehyde fixative.

0.2M phosphate buffer — 50ml.

25% glutaraldehyde solution — 10ml.

Add double distilled water to — 100ml.