RCL2, a possible substitute for formol
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RCL2, a possible substitute for formol
by ajvandam on Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:43 pm
My first thoughts about RCL2, a possible substitute for formol that seems to be successfully applied in medical histopathology (More info: http://www.alphelys.com/site/us/pFF_Fix ... Formol.htm):
It seems, looking at the patent, that RCL2 is basically 70% EtOH with the addition of acetic acid (likely added for better/stronger fixation) and trehalose, a disaccharide that is part of plants and involved in the protection against dehydration.
The interesting thing about this fixative/preservative is that the acidic alcohol its dehydration properties are possibly neutralized by the trehalose which apparently makes the alcohol mixture not only usable for preserving/analysing DNA and (functional) proteins but also provide good morphology, which is a problem with plain ethanol 75% (shrinkage and cell collapse).
I am curious about the pH and its stability. Also has to be remarked that it is like ethanol still a hazardous compound with regard to flammability.
Other alternatives for formalin might be found in DMDM-hydantoin a safe alternative for formalin used primarily in shampoos and hand soaps.
More info about DMDMH:
van Dam, Andries J. 2003. DMDM-Hydantoin: The promising Result of a Search for an Alternative in Fluid Preservation of Biological Specimens. Collection Forum, 18(1-2):104-115.
Molin, Daniël G.M. and Andries J. Van Dam. 2006. A Preservation Method Supporting Multipurpose Analysis of Long-stored Samples. Cell Preservation Technology. March 1, 2006, 4(1): 46-50.
Andries J. van Dam
Conservator Museum of Anatomy, Leiden University Medical Centre
Webmaster http://www.icom-cc.org
It seems, looking at the patent, that RCL2 is basically 70% EtOH with the addition of acetic acid (likely added for better/stronger fixation) and trehalose, a disaccharide that is part of plants and involved in the protection against dehydration.
The interesting thing about this fixative/preservative is that the acidic alcohol its dehydration properties are possibly neutralized by the trehalose which apparently makes the alcohol mixture not only usable for preserving/analysing DNA and (functional) proteins but also provide good morphology, which is a problem with plain ethanol 75% (shrinkage and cell collapse).
I am curious about the pH and its stability. Also has to be remarked that it is like ethanol still a hazardous compound with regard to flammability.
Other alternatives for formalin might be found in DMDM-hydantoin a safe alternative for formalin used primarily in shampoos and hand soaps.
More info about DMDMH:
van Dam, Andries J. 2003. DMDM-Hydantoin: The promising Result of a Search for an Alternative in Fluid Preservation of Biological Specimens. Collection Forum, 18(1-2):104-115.
Molin, Daniël G.M. and Andries J. Van Dam. 2006. A Preservation Method Supporting Multipurpose Analysis of Long-stored Samples. Cell Preservation Technology. March 1, 2006, 4(1): 46-50.
Andries J. van Dam
Conservator Museum of Anatomy, Leiden University Medical Centre
Webmaster http://www.icom-cc.org
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