Ethanol-Methanol-Acetic Acid (EMA) Fixative
Cat No.: DCP-EMA1X
Size: 500 mL
Sterile, Ultrapure, Filtered 0.1-micron membrane TWICE and 0.04-micron membrane ONCE.
Description:
Our EMA Fixative represents the next generation in histological tissue preservation, combining the rapid penetration capabilities of alcohols with the nucleic acid stabilization properties of acetic acid. This formulation provides a powerful, formalin-free alternative that delivers superior results for both morphological and molecular applications. An advanced alcoholic fixative solution designed to deliver exceptional tissue preservation with significantly reduced health risks compared to traditional formalin-based fixatives.
Superior Performance Characteristics:
EMA Fixative demonstrates remarkable advantages over traditional formaldehyde-based solutions:
- Accelerated Fixation: Achieves ideal fixation in as little as 8 hours, compared to standard formalin protocols.
- Enhanced Tissue Penetration: Rapidly infiltrates tissues for more uniform fixation throughout specimens.
- Superior Morphological Preservation: Delivers clearer cellular details with stronger affinity for H&E staining.
- Improved Antigenic Stability: Maintains antigen integrity for superior immunohistochemistry results.
- Enhanced Nucleic Acid Recovery: Yields significantly higher quantities of quality DNA and RNA for downstream molecular applications.
Applications:
- Routine histological processing and H&E staining.
- Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence studies requiring superior antigen preservation.
- Molecular biology applications requiring high-quality DNA and RNA isolation.
- Research requiring both morphological and molecular analysis from the same specimen.
- Educational institutions and laboratories seeking safer alternatives to formaldehyde.
Key Components and Mechanism of Action:
This specialized fixative consists of a precisely balanced combination of:
- Ethanol: Acts as a primary dehydrating agent that denatures cellular proteins and lipids while stabilizing covalent bonds.
- Methanol: Works synergistically with ethanol to enhance protein precipitation and tissue permeabilization.
- Acetic Acid: Provides rapid penetration and exceptional nucleic acid preservation, while counterbalancing the shrinkage effects of alcohols.
Together, these components create a coagulating fixative that preserves cellular architecture through precipitation of proteins rather than cross-linking, maintaining both structural integrity and molecular composition of specimens.
Composition:
| Ingredients |
Concentration |
| Ethanol |
60% |
| Methanol |
30% |
| Glacial Acetic Acid |
10% |
Usage Instructions:
For optimal results, immerse fresh tissue specimens completely in EMA Fixative at a volume at least 10 times that of the specimen. Tissues can be processed after 8-24 hours of fixation, depending on specimen size and density. EMA-fixed tissues should be thoroughly rinsed prior to processing to remove excess fixative.
Safety Information:
One of the most significant advantages of EMA Fixative is its dramatically improved safety profile:
- Formaldehyde-Free: Eliminates exposure to potentially carcinogenic formaldehyde vapors.
- Reduced Respiratory Irritation: Minimizes risk of eye and upper respiratory tract inflammation.
- Safer Workplace Environment: Creates a more comfortable working environment for laboratory personnel.
Quality Control:
- Appearance: Clear solution
- Sterility: Filtered 0.1 micron Twice and 0.04 micron once.
- pH (at 1 X concentration): 3 - 5
- DNase activity: None was detected after incubation of plasmid DNA, and this product was used for 18 hours at room temperature.
- RNase activity: No RNase activity was detected after incubation of ribosomal RNA and this product for 18 hr at room temperature.
Storage and Shelf Life:
- Store at room temperature away from bright light.
- Shelf life is 15 months.
- Use before expiry date given on the product label.
CUSTOMIZATION: Please INQUIRE if other concentrations, additions of chemicals/compounds/proteins/supplements, different pH, and modifications are needed.
All DiagnoCine Precision Sterile buffers are filtered-sterilized with a 0.1-micron filtration two times and 0.04-micron filtration one time. Thus, mycoplasma contamination is prevented. The smallest size mycoplasma type can be about 0.2 microns.
* This product is manufactured under ISO 13485-certified and CE-approved facilities (Suppliers of DiagnoCine Precision). All final packaging, quality assurance, and testing are done at the DiagnoCine R&D and Quality Testing Center. All specific customization requests and assembly were accomplished at DiagnoCine Precision in Totowa, New Jersey, USA.
