Ethyl acetate as a substitute for diethyl ether in the formalin-ether sedimentation technique.

Ethyl acetate as a substitute for diethyl ether in the formalin-ether sedimentation technique.

Journal of clinical microbiology (1979-12-01)

K H Young, S L Bullock, D M Melvin, C L Spruill

ABSTRACT

Ethyl acetate appears to be a satisfactory subsitute solvent for diethyl ether in the Formalin-ether sedimentation technique. In comparative studies, concentration of organisms with ethyl acetate was equal to or greater than that with diethyl ether. No distortion or alteration of morphology was observed with eigher solvent, and preparations were comparable in appearance and ease of examination. In addition, ethyl acetate is less flammable and less hazardous to use than diethyl ether.

MATERIALS

Product Number

Brand

Product Description

296082

Sigma-Aldrich

Diethyl ether, contains 1 ppm BHT as inhibitor, anhydrous, ≥99.7%

309966

Sigma-Aldrich

Diethyl ether, suitable for HPLC, ≥99.9%, inhibitor-free

24004-M

Sigma-Aldrich

Diethyl ether, puriss., contains ~5 mg/L 2,6-di-tert.-butyl-4-methylphenol as stabilizer, meets analytical specification of Ph. Eur., BP, ≥99.5% (GC)

32203-M

Sigma-Aldrich

Diethyl ether, contains BHT as inhibitor, puriss. p.a., ACS reagent, reag. ISO, reag. Ph. Eur., ≥99.8% (GC)

676810

Sigma-Aldrich

Ethyl acetate, ACS reagent, ≥99.5%

494518

Sigma-Aldrich

Ethyl acetate, biotech. grade, ≥99.8%

270989

Sigma-Aldrich

Ethyl acetate, anhydrous, 99.8%