Abstract
Objective: Formalin, sometimes referred to as formaldehyde, is a fixative that is frequently employed in anatomical research to preserve biological materials. However, since it causes cancer, it poses a health risk. Natural alternatives, such as date syrup and honey, which have historically been employed as antibacterial and preservative substances, were taken into consideration to solve this issue. These compounds have been investigated for their potential as formalin substitutes because of their acidic and dehydrating qualities. The purpose of the study was to determine if date syrup and honey may serve as natural fixing agents instead of formalin in lab settings.
Methods: The researchers generated varied amounts of date syrup and honey depending on their pH, glucose, and fructose levels. After anesthetizing albino rats using chloroform vapor, they removed their liver, kidney, heart, and muscle cells. A 10% solution of formalin was employed as a control after the tissues had been cleaned and preserved in mixtures of date or honey syrup that varied in intensity. The cells were examined over a period of ten days, and following staining, a panel evaluated and rated the integrity of the tissues.
Results: As their effectiveness did not differ substantially (P-value >0.05) from 10% formalin, the study’s results suggest that higher amounts of 65 percent to 85 percent date syrup and honey are appropriate for long-time gross preservation of organs and tissues. The properties of good tissue staining are achieved at lower concentrations of 45%.
Conclusions: To reduce and eventually eliminate the usage of formalin, modest amounts of date syrup and honey (65 percent and 45 percent, respectively) may be used as substitutes.
Keywords: formalin, syrup, histopathology