Comparison of the tensile properties of bovine muscle at 20 deg C and 3 deg C by in situ dynamic measurements and imaging in high pressure scanning electron microscopy (HPSEM)

摘要

An improvement in image quality can be obtained by the cooling of wet samples viewed using high pressure scanning electron microscopy (HPSEM). A cooling device has therefore been developed for use with muscle samples attached to a miniature tensometer apparatus. The effect of cooling on the mechanical properties of muscle samples has been assessed. Since no variation has been found in the properties of muscle samples at 20 deg C and 3 deg C this method of cooling can be used to reduce the sample vapour pressure.