Advantages of Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy in Studies of Microorganisms
Abstract
Microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and microalgae, are composed predominantly of water which prohibits direct observation in a traditional scanning electron microscope (SEM), Preparation for SEM requires that microorganisms be fixed, frozen or dehydrated, and coated with a conductive film before observation in a high vacuum environment. Sample preparation may mechanically disturb delicate samples, compromise morphological information, and introduce other artifacts. The environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) provides a technology for imaging hydrated or dehydrated or dehydrated biological samples with minimal manipulation and without the need for conductive coatings. Sporulating cultures of three fungi, Aspergillus sp., Cunninghamella sp., and Mucor sp., were imaged in the ESEM to assess usefulness of the instrument in the direct observation of delicate, uncoated, biological specimens. A sexual sporophores showed no evidence of conidial displacement or disruption of sporangia.... Biofouling, Corrosion, Biodeterioration, Electrochemistry.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA268498
Entities
People
- Patricia A. Wagner
- Raymond W. Scheetz
- Richard I. Ray
- Robert K. Pope
- Scott P. Collins
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory