EMBALMING I CHAPTER 6 EMBALMING CHEMICALS CHEMICAL GROUPS

EMBALMING I CHAPTER 6 - EMBALMING CHEMICALS

CHEMICAL GROUPS IN EMBALMING FLUIDS There are 8 groups of chemicals used to compose the various embalming fluids, they are: 1. PRESERVATIVES 2. GERMICIDES 3. MODIFYING AGENTS INCLUDING BUFFERS, HUMECTANTS, WATER CONDITIONERS, AND INORGANIC SALTS.

CHEMICAL GROUPS IN EMBALMING FLUIDS 4. ANTICOAGULANTS 5. SURFACTANTS 6. DYES 7. PERFUMING AGENTS 8. VEHICLES

EMBALMING FLUIDS The 8 groups of embalming chemicals are combined to make 7 main embalming fluids and accessory and supplemental chemicals. 1. Preservative arterial fluids 2. Pre-injection (primary injection) fluids

EMBALMING FLUIDS 3. Co-injection fluids Including anti-dehydrant chemicals, water-corrective chemicals, restorative chemicals. 4. Cavity Fluids 5. Arterial Fluids Dyes 6. Autopsy Gels 7. Cautery Agents

DISADVANTAGES TO USING FORMALDEHYDE 1. It rapidly coagulates the blood. 2. It converts the tissues to a gray hue when it mixes with blood not removed from the body. (Also termed “formaldehyde gray”. ) 3. It fixes discolorations. 4. It dehydrates the tissues.

DISADVANTAGES TO USING FORMALDEHYDE 5. It constricts the capillaries. 6. It deteriorates with age. 7. It can be oxidized to formic acid. 8. It can be decomposed to alcohol and formic acid in a strong alkaline p. H.

ADVANTAGES TO USING FORMALDEHYDE 1. It is inexpensive. 2. It inhibits the growth of yeasts and molds. 3. It can rapidly destroy autolytic enzymes. 4. It rapidly acts on the body proteins and converts them to insoluble resins that stop body decomposition.

ADVANTAGES TO USING FORMALDEHYDE 5. Only a small percentage of formaldehyde is needed to act on a large amount of protein. 6. It produces rapid fixation which aids in positioning the dead human body and also indicates that preservation is taking place. 7. It deodorizes the body amines formed during putrefaction.

ESTABLISHMENT OF MINIMUM STANDARDS • Around 1906 was when formaldehyde became a widely used ingredient in embalming fluid. • In the early years they sold it with the water already added in half-gallon jugs. • The formaldehyde was so strong that pre-injection and coinjection fluids were developed so offset the HCHO.

ESTABLISHMENT OF MINIMUM STANDARDS • Embalming fluid is the concentrated chemical composition sold by the manufacturer. • Primary dilution is the “in-use” solution of embalming chemicals formed when the concentrated embalming fluid is diluted in the tank of the embalming machine with water.

GENERAL CHEMICAL PRINCIPLES OF EMBALMING FLUIDS • Among the main chemicals common to almost all preservative solutions are HCHO and methyl alcohol. What varies is: • the p. H of the solution • type of buffer materials used to maintain p. H • grade of formalin used

GENERAL CHEMICAL PRINCIPLES OF EMBALMING FLUIDS • type of alcohol • wetting agents • anitclotting agents • modifers • physical features such as specific gravity and surface tension. The chemicals from different companies produce different results with different cases.

SUMMARY OF CHEMICAL COMPONENTS • Preservatives • Germicides • Anticoagulants • Perfuming Materials • Surfactants • Dyes • Modifying Agents • Vehicles

PRESERVATIVES • Purpose- Preservatives are the agents in the embalming fluid that cause the proteins to change in nature. Types • Formalin- It is the liquid form of HCHO. It contains methyl alcohol which helps stabilize the HCHO so that it won’t settle to the bottom and become paraformaldehyde.

PRESERVATIVES • Paraformaldehyde- is a white powdery form of formaldehyde used in hardening compounds. • The word index refers to the amount of formaldehyde gas present. It is NOT a total measure of the total aldehyde concentration present. • Formaldehyde- is a colorless gas with a pungent odor. • It is very soluble in water.

PRESERVATIVES • It is extremely reactive. • It is a very powerful germicide. • It acts quickly on the area it comes in contact with. • Trioxane- is a polymer of HCHO. It is colorless and has a better odor. It is very expensive to use so it is not used extensively.

PRESERVATIVES • Other Aldehydes Include: Acetaldehyde, and Pyrivic Aldehyde. • The important requirement of aldehydes is that is possess denaturing and crosslinking properties that enable it to produce firming effect on tissue. • Condensation Products-(AKA: HCHO donor compound, HCHO Reaction Products). • They exhibit an acid p. H and need the alkali catalyst to release the HCHO.

PRESERVATIVES • The disadvantage to the condensation products is that they have a slow reaction rate and are very expensive. • Dialdehydes- two aldehyde groups in the molecule. • Glyoxal- tend to stain tissue yellow. It is used primarily in cavity fluid especially because its optimal p. H range of activity is about 9 to 10. • Glutaradlehyde- Has a mild odor and a light color. It is a liquid.

PRESERVATIVES • It is capable of reacting with protein structures over a wide p. H range. • It is a more effective disinfectant than HCHO. • Methanol (Methyl Alcohol)-Excellent preservative that destroys many organisms. • A good solvent for other chemicals not readily soluble in water alone. • Penetrates the tissue well and can show some bleaching action.

PRESERVATIVES • Is a stabilizer of HCHO. (Prevents it from changing to para. HCHO. ) • Serves as a vehicle for other ingredients of the formulation. • It is more toxic to bacteria than grain alcohol. • Phenol (Carbolic Acid)- Mostly used in cavity fluid. • A coal-tar derivative that is a colorless crystalline solid.

PRESERVATIVES • It is a good germicide. • Over use of it causes “putty gray” tissues. • Phenols are not water soluble. • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds-Used for their germicidal and deodorizing qualities. • Used mostly in cavity fluid.

PRESERVATIVES • When used- preservatives will be used on every case regardless of the condition of the body. • Regardless of the conditions of the tissue and the body you will always use a type of preservative to “Preserve The Tissue. ” • Please remember this one bit of information!!!!

GERMICIDES Purpose- To kill microorganisms or to render them inactive. Types: • Phenol • Glutaraldehyde When to use: In arterial, some coinjection, and cavity fluids, and surface disinfectants.

MODIFYING AGENTS Purpose- They control the rate of action of the main preservative ingredients of embalming formulations. Types: Buffers- agents that serve to control the acid-base balance of fluid and tissues. • Can act as water conditioners and anticoagulants.

MODIFYING AGENTS What condition would buffers be important for? Humectants- Agents that help to control tissue moisture balance. Glycerin- is synthetically from petroleum products. • Glycerin also increases the germ-killing power of other chemicals. (because it makes them stick better)

MODIFYING AGENTS Inorganic Salts- act as buffers, anticoagulants, preservatives, germicides, and water conditioners. • They have the ability to control osmotic qualities. • Under what circumstances would we use inorganic salts?

MODIFYING AGENTS Water Conditioners- Known as water softeners or water conditioner. Serves 4 purposes: • Aid to improve drainage by keeping blood in a liquid state. • Make is possible for the arterial fluid to function under better conditions. • Makes the dyes work better under alkaline conditions. • Most aldehydes function better as fixative or firming agents under slightly alkaline conditions.

ANTICOAGULANTS Purpose- Used to maintain blood in a liquid state and thereby make it easy to remove from the circulatory system. Types: Citrates, phosphates, oxalates, borates, and EDTA. • Also make is possible for the arterial fluid to function under better conditions.

ANTICOAGULANTS Citrates- white, odorless crystalline or granular material often used for an anticoagulant and its water conditioning properties in embalming fluid. Oxalates- white powder not used as extensively as the citrates. Borates- Stabilizes HCHO and prevents or reduces coagulation.

ANTICOAGULANTS EDTA- prevents blood coagulation and also removes hardness chemicals from the water supply. When Used: • The blood tends to clot easier when the deceased had pneumonia. • The volume of circulating blood decreases when high fever precedes death.

ANTICOAGULANTS • The blood becomes more viscous and clots more readily after circulation stops. • It goes without saying that no circulation is going to lead to additional problems and untreated/unpreserved tissues.

SURFACTANTS Purpose- It promotes diffusion of the preservative elements through the capillary walls to saturate the tissues uniformly. • Capillary attraction, or the force that attracts and holds liquid in the capillary tubes is the result of surface tension.

SURFACTANTS • Surfactants aid or cause the embalming solution to flow more readily and rapidly through the capillaries so that ALL of the millions of tissue cells are literally bathed by the embalming fluid. • By reducing capillary attraction of blood and body liquids, surfactant cause the almost immediate clearing of blood from the capillaries.

SURFACTANTS • Surfactants incorporate coloring agents into the solution and obtain a normal appearance internally. Surface Tension and Embalming Solutions- • The lower the surface tension value, the faster the rate of penetration by the liquid substance.

SURFACTANTS • Surfactants increase the germicidal activity of chemical solutions. • Surfactants function best in very low concentrations. Too much surfactant will cause excessive drainage as well as over saturation of tissue. (Over-embalmed/Under-embalmed tissues? ) Types- sulfonated oils, ployethylene glycol ethers.

SURFACTANTS When used • in all cases, its in the embalming fluid already.

DYES Purpose- To produce an internal cosmetic effect that closely simulates the natural coloring of the tissues. Types: • Active dyes- color tissue • Inactive dyes- only color the fluid in the bottle. • Eosin, erythrosine, ponceau. . .

DYES • When would we want to add a dye to the embalming fluid? • When would we not want to add dye to the embalming fluid?

REODORANTS (PERFUMING AND MASKING AGENTS) Purpose- to enhance the odor of the embalming solution. Types- wisteria, rose, and lilac oils and aromatic esters and wintergreen. • Remember that any attempt to mask HCHO generally results in neutralization or destruction of the active chemicals. When used- in most embalming fluids.

VEHICLES (DILUENTS) Purpose- serves as the solvent for the many ingredients incorporated into an embalming fluid. It can also provide some stability to the formulation. Types- gylcerine, sorbitol, glycol or alcohol. What is the most common vehicle for embalming fluid? When used- they must be used with every ordinary embalming fluid.