Optimal cutting temperature compound

Optimal cutting temperature (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.

Frozen section procedure: tissue embedded in optimal cutting temperature compound, mounted on a chuck in a cryostat and ready for section production

Components

From MSDS:^[1]

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

See also

• Microtome
• Cryostat