A Method for Epicuticular Wax and Contaminant Removal from Herbarium Specimens for Scanning Electron Microscopy

Abstract We describe a method for cleaning leaf epicuticular wax and contaminants from herbarium specimens in preparation scanning electron microscopy. Specimens are rinsed chloroform, heated at 50°C 8 hrs, ultrasonicated 70% ethanol, subjected to critical-point drying. This helps preserve reveal the surface details of that heavily covered with contaminants, making many morphologically functionally important readily visible. tested our by using it clean comparing results those obtained three other chemicals: acetone, xylene, 1:1 acetone:xylene, confirming chloroform treatment was most effective.