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HT5011

Sigma-Aldrich

Formalin solution, neutral buffered, 10%

case of 48 × 15 mL, histological tissue fixative

Synonym(s):

Formaldehyde, Methanal

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About This Item

MDL number:
MFCD00003274
UNSPSC Code:
12352114
PubChem Substance ID:
24895886
NACRES:
NA.47
Pricing and availability is not currently available.

packaging

case of 48 × 15 mL

concentration

10% formalin (approx. 4% formaldehyde)

color

colorless

pH

6.90-7.10

density

1.080 g/cm3

application(s)

hematology
histology

storage temp.

room temp

SMILES string

[O-]#[C+H2]

InChI

1S/CH2O/c1-2/h1H2

InChI key

WSFSSNUMVMOOMR-UHFFFAOYSA-N

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General description

Formaldehyde is both a non-coagulant and an additive fixative. Formaldehyde is known to penetrate tissue quickly, but the fixation process may take a long time to form the various cross links with tissue proteins. Formalin fixation is thought to form cross links between the aldehydes and the proteins, creating a gel, thus retaining cellular constituents in their in vivo relationship. Once properly fixed, the tissue should be able to withstand the subsequent stages of tissue processing or staining. Although there is no true universal fixative, 10% neutral buffered formalin (NBF) is perhaps the most commonly used fixative throughout the world for light microscopy and is a somewhat forgiving fixative. Of the dozens and dozens of available fixatives, it is hard to imagine a fixative more commonly used than 10% NBF. 10% neutral buffered formalin is well suited for large throughput laboratories, and requires a relatively short period of fixation, but can also be used for the long-term storage of tissue.

Application

10% neutral buffered formalin (NBF) is a popular general purpose histological fixative. It has been used to fix tissues, protein complexes and tumor samples.[1][2][3]
Popular general purpose histological fixative.

Packaging

Case containers are polypropylene with white leak-proof lids and are partially prefilled with 10% NBF.

Physical form

Neutral buffered solution

Storage and Stability

Store tightly closed at room temperature. Do not freeze.

related product

Product No.
Description
Pricing

Pictograms

Health hazardExclamation mark
GHS08,GHS07

Signal Word

Danger

Hazard Classifications

Acute Tox. 4 Inhalation - Acute Tox. 4 Oral - Carc. 1B - Muta. 2 - Skin Sens. 1

Storage Class Code

6.1C - Combustible acute toxic Cat.3 / toxic compounds or compounds which causing chronic effects

WGK

WGK 3

Flash Point(F)

185.0 °F

Flash Point(C)

85 °C

Personal Protective Equipment

dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves

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Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Lot/Batch Number
MKCH5941
MKCS9253
MKCS2337
MKCQ8357
MKCQ1497

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Questions

1–2 of 2 Questions  

  1. How can a 10% buffered formalin solution be diluted to a 2% solution? Is it necessary to dilute it with buffered solution or can deionized water be used instead?

    1 answer

    1. The HT5011 solutions are advertised as 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin. The formaldehyde content, however, is expected to be in the range of 3.7% to roughly 4.0%. This can be rather confusing because the terms formaldehyde and formalin are often used interchangeably by some. For many histology laboratories, formaldehyde is used to describe formaldehyde content. Some laboratories do consider the terms interchangeable. Formalin is used to describe a dilution from the 37% to 40% stock bottle of the saturated solution. If the 37% to 40% solution is diluted 1 to 10, this is the origin of the term 10% formalin. But the formaldehyde content is still just 3.7% to 4.0%.
      If a simple 2% solution of HT501 is desired, then simply dilute 1 part of HT501 with 4 parts of water. This would result in a formaldehyde content ranging from 0.74% to 0.8%. If you dilute with water, there is a chance the expiration dating could be affected. A better way to dilute 10% formalin would be to create a salt solution used for the original product. To prepare a suitable diluent for dilution, combine 4 grams of sodium phosphate monobasic and 6.5 grams of sodium phosphate, dibasic (anhydrous) in 1 liter of water. The water can be diluted in either distilled or deionized water. If 1 liter of diluent is not required, simply scale down in a proportional amount the amount of chemicals and water used. If the salts are used for dilution, it would probably be best to prepare a 2% solution and use it immediately. If a 2% formaldehyde solution is required, simply dilute the stock HT501 one to one with either water or the salt solution mentioned above. If using water, the same recommendation for immediate use is appropriate.

      Helpful?

  2. Is product HT5011 an IVD product? Is it 100% phosphate buffered?

    1 answer

    1. HT5011 is not a product approved for IVD use. While the product was originally introduced as suitable for IVD use, the IVD status was changed to Research Use Only. The product currently carries a label for Research Use Only and is formulated with formaldehyde, water, and phosphate buffers.

      However, there is a product that is approved for IVD use, which is available in package sizes of 700 mL, 5 L, and 10 L, with the product number 100496.

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