Glycerol Based | Glycerol Free | High Refractive Index |
Tris MWL 4-88 + AF100 | ||
Tris MWL 4-88 + AF200 | Antifadent | |
Tris MWL 4-88 + AF300 | ||
CFPVOH + AF200 | CFPVOH + AF100 | |
CFPVOH + AF300 |
Note: Reference Numbers to appropriate Published Papers that have cited Citifluor Products are shown (in parentheses) at the end of product descriptions, below. A Summary Table that lists these papers by Field, Technique and Dyes used may be downloaded as a PDF.
Single Packs
PVP plus Antifadent
Aqueous poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) is very useful as a permanent mountant that possesses some antifadent properties. The dry films of the polymer have a high refractive index.
The solutions are of relatively low viscosity and have a slight yellow colour. They have a pH of ~9.5.
A few drops of the solution should be applied to the specimen followed by a cover slip. The water evaporates to give a clear film, which holds the cover slip in place thereby aiding the safe storage of the specimen.
The samples may be stored at room temperature and are very stable i.e. samples many years old have shown no sign of gellation.
See product Application Sheet (PDF)
Pack size and Catalogue number
Product supplied in a HDPE bottle; 25ml PVP-25
CFPVOH plus Antifadent
This is an aqueous solution of a special grade of poly(vinyl alcohol) containing an antifadent.
The solution is of medium viscosity and has a pH of ~8.5 and contains a small amount of sodium azide to prevent microbial growth.
A few drops of the mountant (~ 25μl) should be applied to the specimen followed by a coverslip. If the edges of the coverslip are not sealed, water slowly evaporates to give a stable film that holds the coverslip in place.
The cap of the bottle should always be replaced after use to prevent contamination and evaporation of water. Samples of this solution have been kept for 6 months at room temperature without the appearance of any gel. Storage at low temperatures is not recommended.
See product Application Sheet (PDF)
Pack size and Catalogue number
Product supplied in a brown glass bottle; 25ml, CFPAF-25
Two Pack System
CFPVOH plus AF100
The CFPVOH is an aqueous solution of poly(vinyl alcohol) and the AF100 is a phosphate-buffered saline solution of an amine-based antifadent.
Solutions should be made up by mixing 1 part by volume of AF100 with 9 parts by volume of CFPVOH. These solutions should be used within 10 hours as the efficacy of the antifadent reduces with time. With this in mind, it is better to make up the mixture prior to use and not to rely on keeping solutions.
A few drops of the solution containing both components should be applied to the specimen followed by a cover slip. Evaporation of the water under these circumstances takes a few hours leaving a clear film, which holds the coverslip in place.
The combination of CFPVOH with AF100 has been used for examining specimens using CLSM (105, 106) and for specimens generated using FISH (109, 110). Fluorochromes such as DAPI (108, 110), Cy3, Cy5 (110), Alexa (107, 111,112) and Hoechst dyes(105), and FITC (108,110, 113)
See product Application Sheet (PDF)
Pack size and Catalogue number
Products supplied in a brown glass bottles; CFPVOH – 25ml CFP-25
AF100 – 5ml AF100-5
Glycerol Containing Hardening Systems
All these mountants are TWO PACK Systems relying on a polymer solution to which a Photofade reagent is added
AF100
This is a PBS solution of an antifadent and should be added to the MWL 4-88 solution in the ration of MWL 9 parts by volume, AF100 1 part by volume
AF200
This is a glycerol solution containing a non-basic antifadent. It has a relatively high viscosity. It is designed for use with specimens labelled with DAPI, Cy and Hoechst dyes.
Mixtures of AF200 and the polymer solutions should be made up on demand since the mixtures gel upon storage for long periods. Solutions of AF200 and the polymer solutions should be made up in the ratio of 1 part by volume AF200 to 3 parts per volume of the polymer solution.
See product Application Sheet (PDF)
Pack size and Catalogue number
Product supplied in a brown glass bottle; 10ml, AF200-10
AF300
This is a glycerol solution of an amine-based antifadent and has a relatively high viscosity. It may be used with a wide range of fluorochromes.
Mixtures of AF300 and the polymer solutions should be made up on demand since the mixtures gel upon storage for long periods. Solutions of AF300 and the polymer solutions should be made up in the ratio of 1 part by volume AF300 to 3 parts per volume of the polymer solution.
See product Application Sheet (PDF)
Pack size and Catalogue number
Product supplied in a brown glass bottle; 10ml, AF300-10
Tris-MWL 4-88
This is a classical, popular mountant based on proprietary poly (vinyl alcohol), MowiolTM 4-88. The composition of the solution is well tried and tested and contains the polymer, glycerol and tris-amine buffer. It has a pH of ~8.5. It may be used as a hardening mountant on its own, but if antifadent properties are required, it should be used with either AF200 or AF300.
Solutions of MWL 4-88 should be stored at room temperature in a tightly sealed bottle.
See product Application Sheet (PDF)
Pack size and Catalogue number
25ml, MWL-25
CFPVOH
The CFPVOH mountant is an aqueous solution of poly(vinyl alcohol) containing a small amount of sodium azide to prevent microbial growth, and may be used with either AF200 or AF300 with which it is freely miscible. Solutions of the two reagents have a limited shelf life.
See product Application Sheet (PDF)
Pack size and Catalogue number
Product supplied in a brown glass bottle; 25ml, CFP-25 What can lead to erectile dysfunction in men