The Identification of Sporopollenin in Sections of Resin-Embedded Tissues by Controlled Acetolysis

Using a modification of the acetolysis technique it is possible to isolate sporopollenin-rich structures in sections of epoxy-resin embedded plant material. An advantage of the technique, which consists of heating a 9:1 acetic anhydride/H2SO4 mixture to boiling for about 5 min under a cover glass applied to a slide bearing the mounted sections, is that it is possible to examine the material (preceded by staining if necessary), prior to the treatment. Sections may also be cut from the same material for electron microscopy. The acetolysis does not appear to destroy any known sporopollenin-containing structure.