The μCT facility I'm at mainly works with fossils. So they don't have any Iodine to stain tissue. I was reading that you can use a 1% Iodine & EtOH solution (https://doi.org/10.1002/dvdy.21857), but I'm curious: Can I simply use over the counter Iodine to create this solution?
Hi Cody,
I have never tried it, but I imagine it may work. You will want to make sure it is fresh iodone solution.
As I am sure you know, the idea is just to use a tissue stain that has density on microCT. With iodine, you should be able to see grossly that the tissue is being stained. So, if you see that, it will likely be successful.
One consideration is that over the counter iodine is actually a complex: Article Povidone Iodine: Properties, Mechanisms of Action and Role i...
So, the diffusion of iodine into the sample may be slowed by equilibration between this complex.
You may want to rinse your sample before scanning to make sure the complex containing iodine is not accumulated on the surface of the tissue. Otherwise you may get an edge artifact.
Hope this helps.
Jared
Jared Rosenblum , thanks for the feed back!
Fortunately, my hosts were able to find some raw Iodine I could mix into Ethanol (1% I2E). But I am still curious about the over the counter iodine. Unfortunately, I won't have the samples or time to test.
Its good to keep in mind in case I find myself in this position again. However, I won't know if the samples are actually getting stained because I am working with insect specimen and cannot see the muscles I am trying to stain.
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