Extraction of substances during glutaraldehyde fixation of plant cells

SUMMARY Extraction of Ca, Mg, reducing sugars, amino acids and protein was monitored during fixation of bean leaves. Fixatives included 0.5–5% glutaraldehyde in water at pH 3.4 and at pH 7.2 and phosphate, citrate, Na‐cacodylate, tris, glycyleglycine, collidine and four ‘Good’ buffers, all with 2.5% glutaraldehyde. Least extraction was found in phosphate buffered glutaraldehyde. The optimal glutaraldehyde concentration is 2–3%. This causes least extraction of substances.