Title
Formulation and characterization of an easily melting paraffin composition for histological studies
Poster
Description
Deyan Rashkov, Tsvetelina Gadjeva, Desislava Rizova, Emanuil Yordanov, Christo Tzachev
Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sofia ‘‘St. Kliment Ohridski”
Subject
In preparations for histological analysis of biological tissues are used paraffin to fix the specimens for analysis. The production of slices of 2-6 μm thickness for microscopic examination requires. A problem with the use of solid paraffin alone is its friability when cutting chilled and frozen samples. A major task in formulating paraffin formulations for histological analysis is to reduce the difference in mechanical properties between paraffin and tissue. Formed and characterized are paraffin compositions combining solid paraffin and low molecular weight hydrocarbons (petrolatum) and biopolymers (wax). The resulting compositions show improvements in hard paraffin properties by reducing its hardness, melting temperature and facilitating its use for histological research.