Storage solutions containing tea tree oil may be alternative cadaver detection and storage solution

Cadaver education in health sciences is very important for the professional development of the student. Dead human or animal bodies are used for cadaver training. It is aimed to be used for many years by exposing the bodies to various chemicals immediately after they die, purifying them from microbes and ending autolysis. The chemical formaldehyde is the most common and most easily applicable chemical for this process today. Although widely used, formaldehyde has negative effects on students, employees and the environment. These problems have pushed scientists into different pursuits. In this study, both a cadaver fixation and a cadaver storage solution that can be used in a healthy way instead of formaldehyde were investigated. As a result of the literature review, a solution composition consisting of a mixture of borax, nitrate, nitrite, glycerin, alcohol and thyme oil was created. Half of the seven kidneys, which were brought from the slaughterhouse and divided into two equal halves longitudinally, were left in this solution, and the other half was placed in the 10% formaldehyde solution used for cadaver storage for fixation for one month. When the kidneys were examined after one month, it was observed that the microbial growth in the solution remained low enough not to cause any deterioration. While color changes were at better levels than formaldehyde, texture profile analysis values were found to be closer to fresh kidney tissue. Although the tissue can be recognized at any magnification in histological examinations, it was observed that the cell nuclei received less dye in some sections at x100 magnification. As a result, it was concluded that this solution can be used as a cadaver fixation and storage solution, but more research is needed on it.