Background:In anatomical science, formaldehyde (10% buffered formalin) is still accustomed as the gold standard fixative however, as detailed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) the use of formalin causes health hazards due to its carcinogenicity. Hence, we considered to substitute formalin with natural Honey and Date syrup to achieve a formalin free laboratory for preservation of the biological specimens. And this is because honey and date syrup have been used for millennia as preservatives and antibacterial agents. Research has demonstrated that honey and date syrup have acidic and dehydrating characteristics.
Aim: The impact of these abilities on tissue fixation was investigated in this study to assess the potential of honey and date syrup as natural alternatives to formalin as fixatives. Methods: Dates and honey were obtained from the local market in Navrongo in the Upper East region of Ghana and Kumasi in the Ashanti region of Ghana respectively for the study. Varying concentrations of 45%, 65% and 85% of honey and date syrup were prepared after the glucose, fructose concentration and pH of honey and date syrup were determined. Albino rats were anesthetized by using chloroform vapor to produce unconsciousness. In the state of sleep, each albino rat was placed in a horizontal position, and deep incisions were made and heart, kidney, liver and muscles were carefully harvested and washed in 10% formalin, Honey and Date syrup respectively. The tissues were fixed in the honey and date syrup concentrations with 10% formalin as control for 12 hours and prolonged observation made for 10 working days. The fixed tissues were observed for tissue integrity after staining and scored by a panel.
Result: The findings of the study indicate the higher concentrations of 65% to 85% honey and date syrup are suitable for long term gross preservation of tissues and organs as their efficacy does not vary significantly (P>0.05) from 10% formalin. Lower concentrations of 45% give excellent tissue staining characteristics.
Conclusion: Honey and date syrup at low concentrations (45% and 65%) can serve as alternatives help to decrease and abolish the use of formalin in the near future.
