Greetings!
I´m on a proyect about cacti pollination. My team and I want to learn about pollen techniques to obtain permanent samples, as well with some stain procedure, once extracting it from collected floral visitors.
I´ve readed about acetolysis and another technique using glycerin and hot water.
Any suggestons and experiences are welcome!
There are plenty of options and methods depending on the aim of the research. One of the most common methods for optical/transmitted light microscopy is to prepare microscopy slides using glycerin-jelly containing basic fuschin. Here are some basic methods and concepts:
Article A Simplified Method for Differential Staining of Aborted and...
Chapter Methods in Palynology
I used light acetolysis, first wash with glacial acetic acid to avoid forming insoluble Cellulose octacetate, and then several water washes, then embed in glycerol or continue drying the growin series of alcohols and then silicon oil of 12,000 centistokes or more viscose if you prefer. both glycerol and silicon oil have pros and cons. My preparations of 1970 with glicerol have expanded a couple of microns; the ones from 1971 in silicon oil have remained mostly unchanged, but preparation is longer and some alcohols such as xylene and benzene are bad for your health and real protection is needed (an efficient fumes hood to begin with). It has been a long while that I don't prepare pollen reference slides. I hope this helps. Best regards
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