The imidazole buffer allows lipid retention

The imidazole buffer allows the retention of the most difficult intracellular lipids to preserve.

The imidazole buffer allows lipid retention. associated with osmium during fixation as a buffer at 0.1M

here is a standard protocol

1. Glutaraldehyde  ‘2 to 2.5% in 0.1M imidazole buffer pH7.5 – RT
2. Wash in 0.2M imidazole buffer pH7.5 (2 baths 3 mins) in RT
3. Osmium 1% to 2% in imidazole buffer 0.1 pH 7.5, 30 min – RT
4. Last wash same as point 2- (Wash in 0.2M imidazole buffer pH7.5 (2 baths not more,  3 mins) in RT

Replace your usual Sorensen PBS or cacodylate buffers with imidazole , when your study gives importance to lipid inclusions.

important to note: if you want to preserve the contents of the fixed cells, avoid washing too much, 1 wash is enough, if simple lipids are the most difficult to preserve, washing should even be avoided.

hepatocyte cell