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Microwave applications in classical staining methods in formalin-fixed human brain tissue: a comparison between heating with microwave and conventional ovens.

H K Feirabend·S Ploeger
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Abstract

The quality of microwave adaptations of three classical neuroanatomical staining methods (the Nissl, Klüver-Barrera and Häggqvist stains) was tested on frozen serial sections from human brain specimens which has been stored for up to 10 years in 10% formalin. The conclusion was that the use of microwave irradiation reduces processing time and/or concentrations of the chemicals used, whereas the light microscopical quality of the stains considered is equal or improved as compared to their original counterparts. Next, a comparison was made between microwave adapted stains and classical procedures, which, except for the use of a conventional oven as heat source together with pre-heated solutions, were entirely identical. It appeared, that at light microscopical level no difference can be appreciated between the effect of internally (using microwave irradiation) and externally (using a conventional oven) supplied heat on the staining result.

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H K Feirabend, S Ploeger. 1991. Microwave applications in classical staining methods in formalin-fixed human brain tissue: a comparison between heating with microwave and conventional ovens.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1726666/

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