Gummi-Syrup

GUMMI-SYRUP (Apathy), a medium for embedding histological sections that should not be dehydrated with alcohol (e.g., when staining lipoids, etc.). Besides embedding histological objects, it is also used for sealing the edges of cover slips on specimens mounted in liquid media (e.g., glycerin, sodium acetate, etc.). Composition of G.-syrup: 50 g of gum arabic in pieces, 50 g of cane sugar (refined sugar), 50 cm³ of distilled water. Preparation: take 50 g of clear, dry gum arabic and place it in a flask with water (30-35 cm³). After 1-2 hours, place it on a water bath until the gum arabic is completely dissolved. In another flask, dissolve 50 g of sugar in the remaining water and mix the separately obtained solutions. Add 1-2 cm³ of formalin to prevent mold. G.-syrup can only be used after several hours (10-12). Gummi-syrup should be completely transparent and slightly yellowish in color.