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.

Components

From MSDS:

• 5–15% polyvinyl alcohol

• 1–10% polyethylene glycol

• 75–95% non-reactive ingredients

See also

• Microtome

• Cryostat

References

Further reading