1. EMBALMING CHEMICALS & Products

2. TYPES OF EMBALMING CHEMICALS / Products
Preservatives (arterials)
Cavity fluids
Supplemental fluids
Special Purpose fluids
Accessory Products

3. Function of ARTERIAL Fluids (Preservative)
Preservation
Disinfection -
germicidal & bactericidal
Anti-coagulation
Restoration
It is important to achieve these without objectionable changes in skin and tissues.

4. Action of Preservatives chemicals (or purpose for use)
Inactivate active chemical groups of protein and/or amino acids
inhibit further decomposition
inactivate enzymes
kill microorganisms
destroy odors and eliminate their future production.

5. Action of Preservatives chemicals
PRESERVATIVE chemicals inhibit or arrest (retard) decomposition
not reverse

6. What’s in there? Components?

7. COMPONENTS OF ARTERIAL FLUIDS
Preservatives
Germicides
Anti-coagulants
Vehicles
Surfactants
Dyes
Reodorants/Deodorants
Modifying agents

8. Preservatives
Aldehydes
Alcohols
Phenols

9. Aldehydes
Formaldehyde
Glutaraldehyde
Glyoxal

10. Formaldehyde
Chemical formula
HCHO or H2CO

11. Formaldehyde colorless gas has pungent, irritating odor
strong dehydrating agent
strong oxidizing agent
accessory chemicals must be used to suppress the undesirable effects without loss of germicidal action

12. Formaldehyde prepared or created by oxidation of alcohols
specifically the burning of methanol

13. Formaldehyde In aqueous solution is called formalin
= HCHO gas dissolved in water
Alternately described as a solution and a mixture

14. Formaldehyde = Formalin
HCHO mixed with H2O is converted to methylene glycol (a mixture)
Methylene glycol is an unstable compound (like hydrogen peroxide)

15. Formaldehyde = Formalin
Formalin is an aqueous solution of HCHO
saturated solution
40% HCHO by volume 37% HCHO by weight

16. Formaldehyde In embalming applications typically described by index
Very little free formaldehyde is present in the aqueous solution
that has little or no impact b/c the ability to preserve /disinfect is due to the donation of a methylene group CH2
(= Methylene glycol)

17. Formaldehyde In solid form known as PARAFORMALDEHYDE
ParaHCHO is white powder
When HCHO converts to solid (powder) the process is known as polymerization

18. Formaldehyde
Methanol is the anti-polymerant used to inhibit polymerization to para HCHO

19. Formaldehyde Ammonia NH4OH is a good true deodorant for HCHO
HCHO & nitrogen products have an affinity for one another
when mixed the result is
UROTROPIN

20. polymerizes to PARAFORMALDEHYDE
Ammonia NH4OH is a good true deodorant for HCHO ----> UROTROPIN
Methanol is the anti-polymerant used to inhibit polymerization to para HCHO
***CONFUSION WARNING***
Methanal is another name for HCHO

21. Index amount of formaldehyde measured in grams
IS:
amount of formaldehyde
measured in grams
dissolved in 100 ml. of water
i.e. the % of HCHO gas in a fluid or solution

22. Index measurements Strong / high ~33-40% HCHO (difficult cases)
Medium / average ~20-30% HCHO (routine cases)
Weak / low / mild ~10-18% HCHO (jaundice and special cases)

23. other CLASSIFICATION methods
Color
General properties
Index

24. General properties deep penetration i.e. total diffusion
controlled firming
thorough preservation
dehydration control
controlled pH
uniform results
(esp. when used with staining dyes)
compatible with additives.

25. Other preservative components
Dialdehydes
Alcohols
Phenol
Quats
Inorganic salts

26. DIALDEHYDES
Glutaraldehyde
Glyoxal

27. Glutaraldehyde
patented for use in embalming fluid in 1943, but really came to the attention of the industry in 1950's
has 2 functional aldehyde groups v. 1 for HCHO (di-aldehyde)
is capable of reacting w/ protein over a wider pH range than other aldehyes

28. has relatively low volatility, low odor, & low toxicity -is naturally a liquid
is an effective cold chemical sterilant

29. Glutaraldehyde v. HCHO
more effective as a disinfectant than HCHO (fixes protein rapidly)
removes less water in the chemical reaction
(so less of a dehydrating effect)
disinfects quicker at lower concentrations than HCHO
creates more cross linkages than HCHO and the bonds are more stable
has better penetrating quality

30. Q: So why hasn’t Glutaraldehyde replaced HCHO?
A: more expensive than HCHO to produce

31. Glyoxal More potent than HCHO
(produces many more cross-links; the more links the firmer the tissue and the less flexible the protein)
tends to stain tissue yellow so primarily used in cavity fluids;
works best in ph of 9-10

32. MOST PRESERVATIVES (especially HCHO) preserve best in an acid pH,
BUT in acid pH environment:
- the greatest dehydration takes place and
- the greatest graying action takes place
Advantage: dialdehydes

33. Alcohols cross link protein, but not as effectively as aldehydes
isopropyl has best germicidal qualities
alcohols have strong dehydrating effect on protein
ethanol, methanol, propanal, etc.
methanol is good methylene group donor & anti polymerizing agent for aldehydes;
is the most highly used alcohol

34. Why use alcohols?
1.outstanding preservative
2. good solvent for chemicals that do not dissolve in water 3. excellent penetrator; some bleaching action 4. stabilizes HCHO 5. serves as vehicle for other ingredients in fluid 6. more toxic to bacteria than other alcohols

35. PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS Phenol aka Carbolic Acid (C6H5OH)
is a coal-tar derivative
reliable disinfectant
very good penetrating action b/c it is very rapidly absorbed into protein structures of skin

36. PHENOL
bleaches tissues to a putty gray color (i.e., good for external packs on stains and discoloration)
chiefly used in cavity formulations
does not produce the readily detectable firmness of aldehydes
tends to create putty gray when combined w/ aldehydes

37. the most powerful phenolic compounds are not soluble in water
found in triple or double base fluids with alcohol and/or HCHO
(together these improve the bacteria killing power of phenols)

38. Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QUATS)
good germicidal and deodorizing qualities used as topical antiseptic prior to surgery
in aqueous solution pH is neutral
primary embalming use
cavity fluids
cold sterilization
deodorant sprays
mold-proofing

39. QUATERNARY AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
Disadvantages:
not compatible with wetting & coloring agents in most arterials
any alkaline substance i.e. soap will render useless
used for disinfection of cavities, nose, skin, etc. but lose their capabilities in presence of HCHO

40. Examples benzalkonium chloride zephiran chloride (zephirol) roccal
germitol

41. Inorganic Salts potassium acetate sodium nitrate
have been used since the early days
examples:
potassium acetate
sodium nitrate
some salts of Aluminum (Al)
can also act as buffers, anticoagulants & water conditioners

42. COMPONENTS OF ARTERIAL FLUIDS
Preservatives
Germicides
Anti-coagulants
Vehicles
Surfactants
Dyes
Reodorants/Deodorants
Modifying agents

43. Germicides Chemicals which kill disease causing microorganisms or
render them incapable of reproduction
(same list as for preservatives)

44. Anti coagulants
postmortem processes naturally make blood become more viscous
Anti-coagulants retard this tendency
& / or
prevent adverse reactions between blood and other embalming chemicals

45. Anti coagulants are responsible to maintain blood in liquid state
facilitate blood removal
Anticoagulants may be the principal ingredients of co &/or pre-injection fluids

46. Anti coagulants
Oxalates & citrates were the original anticoagulants used but oxalates are toxic to the embalmer
Ionized calcium is a key factor in blood coagulation. calcium ions cause hard water therefore contributing to blood clotting & difficulties with drainage

47. Vehicles aka solvent / diluent / carrier
serve as a solvent for the many ingredients incorporated into an embalming fluid.
Water*****
Alcohol

48. Vehicles
may be a mixture of solvents which keeps the active ingredients in a stable and uniform state during transport thru the circulatory system
must not react w/ the active components and make them useless
should not react w/ the tissues of the circ. system, because this would interfere w/ distribution & diffusion.

49. Water as chief vehicle composes more than half of formalin anyway
vascular system is about 50% water
our bodies are 75-80% water.
90% of our fluids use water as the vehicle.

50. Alcohols as vehicles Methanol aka methyl alcohol / wood alcohol
Ethanol aka ethyl alcohol – in some special purpose and cavity fluids.
Glycerine, sorbitol, glycols

51. Surfactants wetting agents surface tension reducers penetrating agents
surface active agents

52. Surfactants
reduce the molecular cohesion of a liquid and thereby enable the liquid to flow through smaller apertures (spaces)

53. Advantages
- promote diffusion of preservatives thru capillary walls for uniform saturation -promote uniform distribution of coloring agents -the lower the surface tension the faster the rate of penetration
-increase the germicidal action of solution.

54. Surfactants work best in low concentrations
must be carefully selected for compatibility with other chemicals
Massage, manipulation and intermittent drainage aid the action of surfactants

55. Examples Household detergents Sulfonates & poly hydroxy alcohols
sodium lauryl sulfate***
Sulfonates & poly hydroxy alcohols
Glycerol- aka glycerine
Glycol
ethylene glycol = antifreeze
Sorbitol

56. Dyes Staining (active) v. non-staining (inactive)
Create cosmetic &/or non cosmetic fluids
May be part of the fluid formulation Or
Added to the solution at discretion of embalmer

57. examples Ponceau (cherry red – inactive)
Carmine red (natural vegetable color)
Fuchsin
Erythrosine
Amaranth
Eosine (yellow to orange)

58. Reodorants/deodorants
Chemicals having the capability of displacing or altering an unpleasant odor so that it is converted to a more pleasant one
Perfuming materials / masking agents
Primary function is to enhance odors
R is false D only – masks does not eliminate

59. Reodorants/deodorants
Most used in embalming are floral compounds which have been found to be most effective in mitigating odors.
Intended to give a more pleasant odor, not to cover harshness of HCHO

60. Examples Benzaldehyde Cloves Sassafras
Oil of Wintergreen (is Methyl salicylate)
Spices such as Lavender, rosemary, etc. (true low odor chemicals are result of using donor compounds for slow release of aldehyde, not due to use of re/deodorants

61. Modifying agents Humectants Buffers Water conditioners
(water softeners)

62. Modifying agents Typically added to SOLUTION based upon case analysis
purpose is to control the rate of action of the main preservative ingredients
Go to cavity fluids