I'm currently working on a SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) project in my instermentation course and my group has chosen to do an analysis of penicillium mold on different types of cheese.

I've searched for some reasources on the itnernet that might help me prepare my samples without disturbing the mold structures while ensuring the machine is not damaged during anaylsis.

I have an idea of how I might go about it, but wanted to double check with others who may have had previous experience with SEM.

 

Any suggestions on specimen prep???

 

Thanks!!

 

 

 

 

Well, normal SEM prep usually involves pretty harsh conditions, effectively killing off the biological samples. Of course there are various fixation steps that are aimed to maintain structure, but they are also prone to generate artifacts. So one should be wary of these things.

Yeah see.. It's the fixation of our sample that has got my our group. We've come up with a few ideas, but it'll probably just be a matter of trial and error.

Anyone have any suggestions on what might work best for fixating a sample like ours?