Carnoy’s Tissue Fixative – Advanced Histological and Cytological Preservative

Formulated specifically for the rapid and precise preservation of cellular structures in pathology, histology, and research laboratories, Carnoy’s Tissue Fixative is a highly specialized chemical solution. Unlike standard formalin-based fixatives that act slowly through cross-linking, this rapid-acting non-aqueous fluid penetrates tissues exceptionally fast, making it the gold standard for preserving nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and glycogen. Manufactured by Gündüz Kimya using ultra-high-purity laboratory-grade raw materials, this classical formulation is indispensable for urgent biopsy processing, cytogenetics, and surgical oncology grossing. Packaged in leak-proof, light-resistant amber glass bottles to ensure maximum chemical stability and laboratory safety, this reagent guarantees consistent, artifact-free tissue preservation for your most critical microscopic analyses.

The Chemical Mechanism of Carnoy’s Tissue Fixative

The exceptional speed and effectiveness of Carnoy’s Tissue Fixative rely on the synergistic interaction of its three active components: Absolute Ethanol (60%), Chloroform (30%), and Glacial Acetic Acid (10%).

• Absolute Ethanol: Acts as a powerful dehydrating agent that rapidly precipitates proteins and preserves nucleic acids. It causes tissue shrinkage, which is perfectly counterbalanced by the other ingredients.

• Chloroform: A highly effective lipid solvent that significantly accelerates the penetration rate of the fixative deep into the tissue block. It clears lipids and fat, which is especially useful for dense tissues.

• Glacial Acetic Acid: Rapidly penetrates and preserves nucleoproteins, ensuring crisp, highly detailed nuclear morphology. It actively swells the tissue, perfectly counteracting the shrinkage caused by the ethanol.

• Erythrocyte Lysis: The combination of these chemicals actively lyses (destroys) red blood cells, effectively clearing the background of bloody cytology smears or highly vascular tissues.

Laboratory and Pathological Applications

Because of its unique chemical properties, this rapid penetrant is preferred over routine formalin for several highly specialized diagnostic procedures. Your Carnoy’s Tissue Fixative is highly recommended for the following clinical applications:

• Nucleic Acid and Cytogenetic Studies: The fixative of choice for preserving DNA and RNA integrity for subsequent molecular biology techniques, in-situ hybridization (ISH), and chromosome analysis.

• Lymph Node Dissection: Extensively used in surgical oncology grossing. It rapidly dissolves surrounding fat and lyses red blood cells, causing lymph nodes to turn white and stand out distinctly for easier harvesting.

• Glycogen Preservation: Highly effective for fixing carbohydrates and glycogen (e.g., in liver biopsies) before periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining.

• Cytology Smears: Used for the rapid fixation of bloody cytological fluids (like fine needle aspirates), as it destroys obscuring erythrocytes while preserving diagnostic epithelial or tumor cells.

Safety, MSDS, and Critical Handling Guidelines

Because this formulation contains highly volatile, flammable, and toxic organic solvents, strict adherence to laboratory safety protocols is mandatory. According to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) guidelines, the safety profile is as follows:

• Chemical Composition: 60% Absolute Ethanol, 30% Chloroform, 10% Glacial Acetic Acid.

• Handling Precautions: This product is highly volatile, highly flammable (due to ethanol), and toxic (chloroform is a suspected carcinogen). It must be used strictly in a well-ventilated laboratory fume hood. Avoid inhaling the vapors.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Laboratory technicians must wear chemical-resistant nitrile or neoprene gloves, splash-proof safety goggles, and a lab coat during grossing and application.

• Storage and Shelf Life: Store in a dedicated flammables/toxics cabinet, strictly in its original amber glass bottle, away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and open flames.

Tissue Processing and Application Steps

To achieve optimal microscopic results and prevent tissue artifacts, Carnoy’s Tissue Fixative must be used with precise timing:

1. Tissue Preparation: Trim the tissue sample to an appropriate size. Because it fixes rapidly, tissue blocks should ideally not exceed 3 to 5 mm in thickness to ensure complete and even penetration.

2. Fixation Time: Immerse the tissue block entirely in the solution. Fixation is remarkably rapid; small biopsies fix in 1 to 2 hours, while larger blocks may take 3 to 4 hours. Crucial Note: Tissues should not be left in this solution for more than 12-18 hours, as excessive exposure will cause extreme hardening, shrinkage, and make sectioning difficult.

3. Washing and Storage: Never wash the fixed tissue with water, as this will dissolve the preserved glycogen and cause severe morphological distortion. Tissues must be transferred directly into 95% or 100% Absolute Ethanol for washing and temporary storage before routine tissue processing and paraffin embedding.

Technical Specifications

Feature	Specification Details
Brand / Manufacturer	Gündüz Kimya (Gündüz Chemical Solutions)
Product Type	Histological & Cytological Fixative
Contact / WhatsApp	+90 542 205 10 80
Primary Function	Rapid Tissue Fixation, DNA/RNA & Glycogen Preservation
Composition	Ethanol (60%), Chloroform (30%), Glacial Acetic Acid (10%)
Target Application	Lymph Node Harvesting, Cytogenetics, Bloody Smears
Packaging	Leak-Proof Amber Glass Bottle
Post-Fixation Transfer	Transfer directly to 95% or Absolute Ethanol (No Water)