Tissue preservation using simulated seawater and a low percentage of formaldehyde

Abstract

Formalin at 10% is the most widely used fixative solution for specimen preservation, but it poses risks of respiratory irritation and long-term effects with increased exposure (IARC, 2006). To identify safer, effective alternatives, pig kidneys were preserved for two months in solutions with 2%, 4%, or 10% formalin with 35% salt, and compared with a 10% formalin control. Dielectric spectroscopy measured real permittivity (ε′) and impedance (|Z|) as markers of cell membrane and tissue preservation. According to the data, 4% formalin + 35% salt exceeded all other solutions at preservative efficiency, including the 10% formalin control. This study offers evidence of an alternative that is safer to handle with better preservation indicators.