DECALCIFICATION

Routine or most common d

Nitric Acid

Imparts yellow coloration due to nitrous formation (rem: add Urea or Na thiosulfate)

Perenyi’s fluid

Tissue softener

Phloroglucin nitric acid

Fastest agent

Sulfurous acid

Minute pieces of bone

Sulfurous acid

Weakest decalcifying agent

Chromic acid

Minute bone spicules

Chromic acid

Used as fixative and decalcifying agent

Chromic acid

Environmental toxin and corrosive to skin

Citric acid citrate

No cell or tissue distortion

Chelating agents

Uses other salts to form complexes with calcium salta for easy removal

Chelating agents

Uses EDTA (anticoagulant and water softener)

Ion exchange resin

Removes calcium by formic acid

Radiological

This method is not recommended for mercuric chloride -fixed tissues

Chemical method

Presence of cloudiness (calcium = incomplete decalcification)