New mounting support to obtain slices of plant material in rotary microtome.

Abstract

Obtaining sections of plant samples from different organs of 20-30 µm thick in a rotary microtome is linked to the inclusion of the samples in blocks of resin or paraffin, technique which implies time and supplies. Another limitation in the work of plant anatomy is the realization of cuts from fresh material to perform histochemical tests. To obtain freehand cuts the operator must have the necessary skills or the laboratory must have equipment and supplies that sometimes represents high costs such as a cryostat. The aim of this communication is to present a technique that allows the use of the classic rotary microtome with disposable blades and dental wax supports to obtain cuts, even serial sections, of fresh or fixed material from different organs. The limitations of the technique are discussed.