Formaline –Formaldehyde 4%

• SL.FORP.XX/XX
• REACH: see SECTION 3

1.2 Identified uses of the substance or mixture and uses advised against:

Identified uses In vitro diagnostic reagent, Reagent for analysis
Uses advised against This product is not intended for consumer use

Human Tissue Fixation of IHC and ICC Biopsies

Why formaldehyde is used in Histology?

Tissues for Immunohistochemistry or IHC are fixed to preserve tissue morphology and retain the antigenicity of the target antigens.

What is the problem of Formaldehyde fixation?

Fixation alters the chemical composition of tissues and often requires a compromise between preserving tissue structure and preserving the epitope.

How long do I need to put the tissue in Formol and at what concentration?

Incomplete fixation (underfixation) of cells or tissues may allow rapid proteolytic degradation of target proteins within the tissue and can reduce specific immunoreactivity. However, excessive fixation (overfixation) may result in masking of the epitope or in strong non-specific background staining that can obscure specific labeling. The method and timing of fixation must be considered in terms of sample preparation. In addition, duration, temperature, and pH will all affect the degree of fixation.

Formaldehyde 4%

• Formaldehyde is the most common fixative used to preserve protein targets within tissues and cells. Formaldehyde-mediated tissue fixation is thought to be dependent on the formation of protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid cross-links involving methylene bridges (-CH2-).
• Formaldehyde can chemically link NH2 (amino) and CONH (peptide) groups, NH2 and NH, or NH2 and NH2 groups.
• Formaldehyde is a good choice for most IHC/ICC applications but is not a universal fixative. Overfixation with formaldehyde can modify the amino acids that are part of an epitope and can block an antibody from binding to it. However, in most cases the epitope can be unmasked to restore antibody binding using antigen retrieval techniques. In situations like this, ice cold absolute methanol or absolute ethanol are appropriate alternative fixatives.

Safety Data Sheet
According to (EG) 1907/2006 dd. 30.09.2021 (v.9.7) FORMALDEHYDE 4%

Note: Although there are many different fixative available like Fsolv, formaldehyde is the most commonly used, most economic fixative and is an appropriate starting point for most IHC/ICC experiments.

Gentaur supplies Formaldehyde-based solutions that should be aliquoted and frozen, or stored at 4-8 °C for no longer than one month.

Making a 4% Formaldehyde Solution in PBS (Phosphate Buffered Saline) (1X, pH 7.4).

Formaline solution, Methanal solution, Methyl aldehyde solution

Formaldehyde solution 4%, buffered, pH 6.9

1. Insight Formaldehyde (HCOH) is one of the most familiar and effective fixatives.
2. Formaldehyde fixation is suitable for nearly all types of histological tissue, as well as calcified deposits, bone, cartilage, nervous system specimens.
3. The fixation of the histological specimen material of human or animal origin is commonly performed in a 4% or 10% Formaldehyde solution.
4. Chemically, the 4 % Formaldehyde solution equals a 10 % Formalin solution.
5. This Formaldehyde solution 4% is a ready-to-use working solution that is stabilized with phosphate buffer to protect tissue structures. The development of formic acid will be effective prevented.
6. It is an IVD registered and CE certified product and can be applied for diagnostical purposes.
7. For more details, please see instructions for use (IFU). The IFU can be downloaded from this webpage.