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A study of methods for in situ X-ray energy dispersive analysis of polyphosphate bodies in Plectonema boryanum

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Abstract

A variety of preparative methods for in situ X-ray energy dispersive analysis were tested to determine their effects on the elemental composition of polyphosphate bodies in P. boryanum. The bodies were found to contain large amounts of P and K and small amounts of Ca and Mg. Air drying, freeze-drying and freeze-drying from a liquid nitrogen slush all gave similar results. Fixation of the cells in glutaraldehyde and/or OsO4 resulted in loss of the K and enhancement of the Ca peak. Magnesium was lost during embedding in epoxy.

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Baxter, M., Jensen, T. A study of methods for in situ X-ray energy dispersive analysis of polyphosphate bodies in Plectonema boryanum . Arch. Microbiol. 126, 213–215 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00409922

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