X-ray phase contrast reveals soft tissue and shell growth lines in mollusks.
Commun Biol
; 7(1): 17, 2024 01 03.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38172227
ABSTRACT
High-resolution 3D imaging of species with exoskeletons such as shell-bearing mollusks typically involves destructive steps. Nondestructive alternatives are desirable since samples can be rare and valuable, and destructive steps are time-consuming and may distort the tissue. Here, we show for the first time that propagation-based phase-contrast X-ray imaging can significantly increase contrast in mollusks with intact shells. By using the recently upgraded monochromator at the SPring-8 BL20B2 synchrotron beamline, we imaged six species of mollusks, showing that X-ray phase contrast enhances soft-tissue contrast. Features that are almost invisible in conventional attenuation-based micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) are clearly reproduced with phase-contrast imaging under the same scan conditions. Furthermore, this method can reveal features such as growth rings in the shell and differentiate between calcite and aragonite crystal forms. Phase-contrast imaging can thus serve as a compelling alternative when destructive methods are not an option.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Síncrotrons
/
Moluscos
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Commun Biol
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Japão