Research Article
Xylene-Free Histoprocessing using an Alternative Method: Effect of Microwave Temperature
- By God’sman Chidugam Eberechukwu, Amalachukwu O Ike, Pepple Ibiere Allwell - 21 Mar 2024
- Healthcare Studies, Volume: 2, Issue: 1, Pages: 33 - 45
- https://doi.org/10.58612/hs214
- Received: November 13, 2023; Accepted: March 10, 2024; Published: March 21, 2024
Abstract
The mechanism of microwave histoprocessing is based on the rapid dehydration of previously fixed tissue using microwave energy to heat the reagent (alcohol) to a temperature below its boiling point. Isopropanol further dehydrates the tissue and prepares it for paraffin infiltration. The present study addresses the negligence of the effect and efficiency of microwave energy in histological techniques. This alternative method has more than a few merits over conventional methods from the viewpoint of laboratory staff. It also has some environmental benefits as it eliminates xylene in tissue processing. Processing was performed at 315K for dehydration and 4523K for infiltration. Clearing agents were not employed because the temperature of the final paraffin step increases the evaporation of alcohols from the tissue. Subsequently, tissues were embedded sectioned and stained using the traditional technique.