A new scanning electron microscope (SEM) method for the determination of particle size in parenteral fat emulsions.

Fat droplets larger than 6 micron given intravenously constitute a health hazard. To characterize the droplet size and thus emulsion stability, a fixation procedure capable of fixing high lipid concentrations was developed. Osmium tetroxide as fixative and Nucleopore filter membranes as carrier medium gave the best results. The fat droplets were well defined.