Optimal cutting temperature compound explained

Optimal cutting temperature compound (OCT compound) is used to embed tissue samples prior to frozen sectioning on a microtome-cryostat. This process is undertaken so as to mount slices (sections) of a sample onto slides for analysis.

Components

From MSDS:^[1]

• 5-15% polyvinyl alcohol
• 1-10% polyethylene glycol
• 75-95% non-reactive ingredients

See also

• Microtome
• Cryostat

Further reading

• Turbett . Gavin . Sellner . Loryn . The use of optimal cutting temperature compound can inhibit amplification by polymerase chain reaction . Diagnostic Molecular Pathology . 6 . 5 . 298–303 . 1997 . 9458390 . 10.1097/00019606-199710000-00009.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Sakura. Safety Data Sheet. 26 November 2024.