Canada Balsam is an excellent mounting medium that ensures long-lasting preservation and clarity for your specimen slides. Its high viscosity (10,000-11,000 cSt) and refractive index close to that of glass (nD = 1.5250-1.5270) make it ideal for creating durable preparations with optimal optical properties. It is also compatible with xylene, which serves as a clearing and deparaffinizing agent.
Required Materials
- Canada Balsam: A natural exudate from conifer trees used as a mounting medium.
- Xylene: A clearing medium that also serves to deparaffinize specimens.
- Glass Slides: High-quality slides for mounting specimens.
- Cover Glasses: Available in sizes ranging from 18x18 mm to 24x60 mm.
Procedure
Preparation:
Ensure your specimen is completely dehydrated before mounting. This is crucial for the clarity and preservation of the sample.
Applying Canada Balsam:
- Use a glass stick to apply approximately 0.05 ml of Canada Balsam to a horizontal glass slide.
- Carefully spread the medium over the specimen to avoid air bubbles.
- Place a clean cover glass on top, ensuring no air bubbles form.
Drying:
- Leave the slide in a thermostat set to a horizontal position.
- Allow to dry for 30-40 minutes until the medium solidifies.
Microscopical Analysis:
- Once dried, your specimen slide is ready for examination under a microscope.
Notes for Optimal Results
- For the best optical quality and transparency, the mounting medium must contain the same solvent as the clearing/deparaffinizing medium used earlier. Use Canada Balsam if you have previously used xylene.
- Utilize modern technology and appropriate instruments for sample collection and preparation.
- Ensure all samples are clearly marked.
Safety and Handling
- Follow safety guidelines for work and environmental protection diligently.
- Dispose of used solutions and expired products as special waste according to national regulations.
- Treat all tested tissue specimens as potentially infectious and adopt necessary safety measures.
- Adhere to the product's label instructions, safety warnings, and safety data sheet recommendations.
Storage and Stability
- Store Canada Balsam in its original, tightly sealed package at a temperature between 15°C and 25°C.
- Avoid freezing and exposure to direct sunlight.
- Note the manufacturer and expiration dates on the product label for safe use.
By adhering to these instructions, you ensure the preparation of high-quality, durable specimen slides for microscopy, leveraging the benefits of Canada Balsam for sample preservation and clarity.
References
- Carson, F. L., Hladik, C. (2009): Histotechnology: A Self-Instructional Text, 3rd ed., Chicago: ASCP Press
- Cook, D. J. (2006): Cellular Pathology, 2nd ed., Banbury: Scion Publishing Ltd.
- Ono, M., Murakami, T., Kudo, A., Isshiki, M., Sawada, H., Segawa, A. (2001): Quantitative Comparison of Anti-Fading Mounting Media for Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy, 4th ed., Bloxham: Scion Publishing Ltd.
