The invention relates to a formula and method for immobilizing a
tick sample for scanning
electron microscopy, which belongs to the technical field of methods for immobilizing samples for scanning
electron microscopy. The immobilization formula comprises a PBS
buffer solution,
polysorbate and
glutaraldehyde, and a
glutaraldehyde immobilization liquid is prepared from the above-mentioned components. The method comprises the following steps: (1) observing whether
host tissue is left in basis capituli of the
tick sample and if so, removing the
host tissue; (2) cleaning the surface of the
tick sample; (3) immobilizing the tick sample at
room temperature by using the
glutaraldehyde immobilization liquid; (4) carrying out gradient
dehydration with
ethanol on the immobilized tick sample; (5) putting the tick sample into mixed liquor of absolute ethyl
alcohol and
acetone for displacement, and then putting the tick sample into
acetone for displacement; and (6)
drying the tick sample in a vacuum
freeze drying instrument for
drying and spraying gold on the tick sample. During scanning
electron microscopic observation, the phenomenon of fuzzy and foggy images or incapable imaging due to
ionization discharging of the sample as
water vapor produced after electron beam bombardment of the sample encounters high-energy electron streams is prevented.