A simple method for studying whole sections of rice grain

Abstract

We developed a new and simple method to collect sections of a whole brown rice kernel for investigation of histological properties. A single kernel of rice was dehydrated through a graded ethanol series, transferred to xylene, and embedded in paraffin. During sectioning of the blocks using a rotary microtome, we used a special adhesive tape to collect and place the sections on slides so they remained flat. The use of the adhesive tape technique combined with autofluorescence characteristics allowed us to visualize cell walls throughout an entire longitudinal or transverse section of a whole rice kernel. We obtained scanning electron microscopy images of the sections to determine section quality.

Varietal Differences in Endosperm Cell Morphology of the Non-glutinous Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Released over the Past 100 Years in Hokkaido, Japan

“…In addition, the quality of the captured images by our method (Fig. 2) was comparable to those obtained by a novel method of Ogawa et al (2003).…”

“…For example, Ogawa et al (2003) developed a new method to observe the ECM by using a microtome and an optical microscope with a mercury arc lamp and obtained good quality images of the rice grain sections. Morita et al (2005) obtained the microscope images of rice ECM by a microtome section with 20 μm thickness and traced cell contours of the endosperm images for investigating the ECM characteristics.…”

Effects of Gibberellin and Gibberellin Biosynthesis Inhibitor (Paclobutrazol) Applications on Radish (Raphanus sativus) Taproot Expansion and the Presence of Authentic Hormones

“…Aleica microtomy (Germany) was used for histological examination (HE) as previously described by Ogawa et al (2003). In order to examine the radish taproot growth in different stages at 24, 36 and 48 days correspondingly and changes in cell structure during radish growth and development were observed.…”

Thin Frozen Film Method for Visualization of Storage Proteins in Mature Rice Grains

“…Rice is especially difficult in this regard, because its endosperm tissue is hard. Ogawa et al 4) obtained paraffin sections of rice grains by the adhesive-tape technique, but this technique was not suitable for immunohistological observation. We applied the Kawamoto and Shimizu method to rice grains, and the result was intact freshfrozen sections of rice grains without the loss of antigenicity.…”