Road to RMT: Decalcification

Decalcification

It is done to soften the tissue by removal of calcium or lime salts from tissues

Decalcification

Not part of routine tissue processing

20:1

Ratio of decalcifying fluid to tissue

18-30°C

Temperature for Decalcification

Nitric Acid

Most common and fastest decalcifying agent

5-10% Aqeous NA

Concentrated nitric acid solution and distilled water

Parenyi’s Fluid

It decalcifies and softens tissue at the same time

Phloroglucin Nitric Acid

The most rapid decalcifying agent

Hydrochloric Acid

Used for surface decalcification of tissue blocks

Von Ebner’s Fluid

It is recommended for teeth and small pieces of bone

Formic Acid

It is safer to handle than nitric acid or hydrochloric acid

Formic acid sodium citrate solution

Recommended for autopsy materials, bone marrow cartilage and tissues studies for research purposes.

Trichloroacetic Acid

Fixative and weak decalcifying agent

Citric acid citrate buffer solution

Excellent nuclear staining

Citric acid citrate buffer solution

Too slow for routine purposes

Sulfurous Acid

Very weak decalcifying solution, used only for minute pieces of bone

Sulfurous Acid

Degree of decalcification cannot be measured by routine chemical test

Chelating Agents

Produces less damage to the tissue