Comparison of Natural and Synthetic Fixative Using Routine and Microwave Fixation

Introduction: Formalin is a cornerstone fixative in histopathology as it is considered a gold standard fixative since 1859 in tissue processing. However, formalin has many health hazards such as toxicity and carcinogenicity, thereby advocating alternatives to it. The potential ability of natural agents such as jaggery, honey, sugar, aloe vera, and khandsari as effective tissue preservatives is an emerging boom. This study compared tissue fixation with jaggery syrup (30%) with neutral-buffered formalin 10%, thereby emphasizing the need for eco-friendly, economical, and readily available natural substances as alternatives to formalin. This study also compared routine with microwave procedures for rapid fixation which shortens the time duration for diagnosis. Aim and Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the natural and synthetic fixatives by routine and microwave fixation. (1) To fix the tissue using formalin by routine method, (2) To fix the tissue using jaggery by routine method, (3) To fix the tissue using formalin by microwave method, (4) To fix the tissue using jaggery by microwave method, (5) To compare histological parameters in tissues fixed by both methods. Materials and Methods: The present prospective study compared natural and synthetic fixatives each by routine and microwave fixation methods using the biopsy specimens received in the department of oral pathology and microbiology. The study sample comprised 60 tissue specimens. Each tissue was cut into 4 pieces and fixed using each of the methods. The parameters included in the datasheet were cellular and nuclear details, cytoplasm and nuclear staining, and epithelium and connective tissue interface. Statistical Analysis: The data were evaluated by applying Kruskal–Wallis test. Analysis was done using SPSS 16 (IBM, Chicago, US), fiscal values. Results: Jaggery yielded comparatively superior results in comparison to formalin in both routine and microwave fixation methods. Conclusion: Natural fixatives are better compared to synthetic fixatives for tissue fixation, thereby surpassing the carcinogenic effect of formalin on the personnel handling the chemicals on a routine basis. Room temperature fixation proved to be better compared to the conventional microwave method. Hence, through our study, we recommend synthetic fixative formalin to be replaced by natural fixative jaggery.