Table 1. Detailed overview of the different fixation and washing buffer formulations and their osmolarity.
| Buffer concentration | Buffer type | % Glutaraldehyde (vol/vol) | Addition | Mean osmolarity (mOsm) | s.d. | Comment | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | – | 2.5% | – | 287 | ±6.9 | ||
| – | Filtered seawater | – | – | 1,100 | ±8.0 | ||
| – | Filtered seawater | 2.5% | – | 1,252 | ±15.2 | FSW | |
| 1X | PHEM buffer | – | – | 219 | ±1.2 | ||
| 1.5X | PHEM buffer | – | – | 323 | ±1.4 | – | |
| 3X | PHEM buffer | 2.5% | – | 1,071 | ±6.9 | ||
| 1.5X | PHEM buffer | 2.5% | 9% Sucrose | 1,076 | ±1.6 | marPHEM | |
| 1.5X | PHEM buffer | – | 9% Sucrose | 714 | ±0.5 | Washing solution | |
| 0.1M | Phosphate buffer saline | – | – | 300 | n.d. | ||
| 0.1M | Phosphate buffer saline | 2.5% | 9% Sucrose | 1,046 | ±2.9 | marPBS | |
| 0.1M | Phosphate buffer saline | – | 9% Sucrose | 645 | ±6.0 | Washing solution | |
| 0.1M | Sodium-cacodylate buffer | – | – | 339 | ±4.5 | ||
| 0.1M | Sodium-cacodylate buffer | 2.5% | 9% Sucrose | 960 | ±2.9 | marCaco | |
| 0.1M | Sodium-cacodylate buffer | – | 9% Sucrose | 632 | ±5.8 | Washing solution |