Vegetable Oils as Clearing Agents

Three types of vegetable oils namely, groundnut oil, coconut oil and palm kernel oil were investigated in this study for their clearing ability in wood histology. The vegetable oils were compared with the conventional clearants like xylene and clove oil. Using a Riechet microtome sliding machine, sections of wood that were about 20 μm were prepared and cleared in each of the oils. Under a light microscope, the results showed that sections cleared in the vegetable oils did not show any sign of distortion as details of wood features were distinct and clear after processing in the vegetable oils. The study concluded that the vegetable oils could be used as substitutes for xylene and clove oil. The respective photo micrographs are hereby presented showing their efficacy after slide preparation. On the accounts of health hazards and cost of conventional clearing agents, the study also recommended groundnut oil, coconut oil and palm kernel oil as alternative clearants in wood histological processes.