Embalming Chemistry
A medium arterial fluid would have what index?
16 - 25
A strong arterial fluid would have what index?
26 - 36
A weak arterial fluid would have what index?
5 - 15
What is glutaraldehyde?
A 5 carbon dialdehyde and a good disinfectant.
What is formaldehyde demand based on?
How much free Nitrogen is available. The more decomposition the higher the demand due to more exposed nitrogen because of the breakdown of proteins.
When will you notice searing of tissue caused by formaldehyde?
If the tissue doesn't have epidermis (exposed dermis)
Where else can sodium lauryl sulfate be found?
In shampoo
When are high index fluids used?
In special conditions, when restorative art procedures need to be done with edematoric cases and decomp. Also when chemotherapeutic agents are present.
What do preservatives do?
Inactivate the chemical groups of proteins and amino acids, inhibits further decomposition, Inactivates enzymes, kills microorganisms, and destroys and stops production of odors.
What does co-injection mean?
Injected at the same time as arterial fluid.
What is isopropanol?
Isopropyl alcohol - CH3CHOHCH3
Why should you never use formaldehyde in the presence of chlorine containing compounds?
It combines with the formaldehyde to form BMC - bis-methyl-chloride (a known carcinogen)
What happens to tissue that has been seared by formaldehyde?
It dries out and gets hard
What is the reaction of formaldehyde with water?
It exists as methylene glycol and is not a stable compound.
What do humectants do?
Permit water retention in the tissues of the body they are a water retention chemical.
What is amaranth also known as?
Red Dye No. 2
What is the definition for oxidation?
The removal of hydrogen from the carbon atom leading to CO2 (no hydrogen)
What is the definition for reduction?
The removal of oxygen from the carbon atom leading to CH4(methane)
What is benzaldehyde?
The simplest aromatic aldehyde with 7 carbons, benzene ring + CHO
What is formaldehyde demand?
The total amount of formaldehyde with which protein will combine to be completely preserved.
What are embalming surfactants also known as?
Wetting agents, surface tension reducers, penetrating agents, or surface active agents.
What are others names used for QUATS (quaternary ammonium compounds)?
Zephiran chloride and Benzalkonium chloride
What is oil of wintergreen?
methyl salicylate
What are some embalming surfactants?
sodium lauryl sulfate and sulfonates.
What are some embalming buffers?
sodium phosphates, citrates, sodium salt of EDTA, and borax.
What are some embalming anti-coagulants?
sodium salt of EDTA, oxalates, and sodium citrates(last 2 are not used in modern embalming fluid)
What are embalming vehicles also known as?
solvents
What are the components of pre-injection fluid?
water conditioning agents + buffer, surfactants, anticoagulants, humectants, low concentration preservatives or none at all.
What are fixatives?
what some preservatives are referred to as and is especially true of formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde. The use of these chemicals "fix" the tissues in place.
What are embalming deodorants also known as?
Perfuming materials or masking agents
What is alum?
A dehydrating agent
What is aluminum chloride?
A dehydrating agent
What is jaundice fluid?
A fluid used in special conditions that is phenol based, has a low HCHO index and doesn't cause much coagulation (firming)
What is paraformaldehyde?
A preservative that is a white crystalline substance and the solid form of formaldehyde
What is glycerol?
A trihydroxy alcohol - 3 OH groups and humectant
What do embalming dyes do?
Add red color
What are aldehydes?
An organic compound containing one or more -CHO groups. The general formula is RCHO.
What are alcohols?
An organic compound containing one or more hydroxyl (-OH) groups. The general formula is R-OH
What are considered embalming modifying agents?
Anti-coagulants, humectants, buffers, surfactants, deodorants, and dyes.
Water is what type of vehicle?
Aqueous solution
What embalming fluid type contain modifying agents?
Arterial fluids
What are the 3 categories of embalming fluids?
Arterial, cavity and accessory chemicals.
What are QUATS generally used for?
As disinfectants for table tops, skin, oral and nasal cavities, and instruments.
What pH should embalmers be seeking to reach?
As neutral as possible.
Why are phenolic preservative compounds used in jaundice cases?
Because phenol will not cause dark green discoloration like formaldehyde.
What are some embalming deodorants?
Benzaldehyde, oil of cloves, oil of sassafras, oil of wintergreen
What is sorbitol?
Best type of humectant with 6 carbons/ 6 OH groups
What is calcium used in?
Blood clotting
What is gluteraldehyde?
CHO(CH2)3CHO
What is the fourth step in the partial oxidation series for methane (CH4)?
CO2 + H2O + Energy 0 hydrogens attached to a carbon
What is phenol?
Carbolic acid - C6H5OH
What embalming fluid type doesn't have any modifying agents or dyes?
Cavity fluid
What is the first step in the partial oxidation series for methane (CH4)?
Changes to an alcohol - methyl alcohol (CH3OH) 3 hydrogens attached to a carbon
What is the second step in the partial oxidation series for methane (CH4)?
Changes to an aldehyde HCHO 2 hydrogens attached to a carbon
What is the third step in the partial oxidation series for methane (CH4)?
Changes to formic acid (HCOOH) 1 hydrogen attached to a carbon
What are lanolins?
Emulsified oil (oil held in solution)
What are some embalming dyes?
Eosin, ponceau red, and erythrosin=p
What are 2 examples of an active dye?
Eosine and Erythrosine
What is ethanol?
Ethyl alcohol - Ch2Ch2OH
What are some preservatives referred to as?
Fixatives
What is the definition for pre-injection fluid?
Fluids injected before the arterial fluids whose purpose is to clear the vascular system of blood and enable the arterial solution to distribute with greater facility.
What are some embalming preservatives and germicides?
Formaldehyde, gluteraldehyde, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, phenol.
What do lanolins do?
Give a soft texture to the skin
What is a decomposition product of lanolins?
Glycerol
What is the reaction of formaldehyde with amino acids?
It preserves without coagulation, amino acid strand is not long enough to coagulate. (must have an amino chain with a peptide bond).
What is the reaction of formaldehyde with methanol?
It prevents the polymerization of formaldehyde to para-formaldehyde ( coagulated formaldehyde)
What are phenolic preservative compounds used for?
Jaundice cases
What are some fluids used for special conditions?
Jaundice fluid and high index fluid.
What are some embalming humectants?
Lanolin, sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols
What is formaldehyde?
Methanal - HCHO
What is methanol?
Methyl alcohol - CH3OH
Inactive dyes do what?
No staining
What are some mold inhibitors?
Para-dichlorobenzene
What are some solid autopsy chemicals?
Paraformaldehyde, aluminum chloride, alum, fillers, and plaster of paris
What class of compounds are used as humectants?
Polyhydroxy alcohols
What are 2 examples of an inactive dye?
Ponceau red and Amaranth
What embalming fluid type contain little or have no preservatives?
Pre-injection fluids
What is in all arterial fluids?
Preservatives.
What is the reaction of formaldehyde with proteins?
Preserves and coagulates, it is denatured breaking up 3 dimensional structure, loses its ability to imbibe (hold water)
What are some additional supplementary germicides added to embalming fluids?
QUATS, glutaraldehyde, or a mold inhibitor
Active dyes do what?
Stain
What are the 3 classifications for the strength of arterial fluids?
Strong, medium and weak
What are buffers?
Substances that in solution are capable of neutralizing both acids and bases and thereby maintaining the original or a constant pH of the solution.
What are restorative fluids?
Supplemental fluids may be separate fluids from arterial fluids, or ones enhancing arterial fluids by the addition of special chemicals such as humectants and color.
What is reversibility of formaldehyde preserved tissue?
The action that formaldehyde has on proteins will be reversed in the presences of an abundance of water.
What determines the strength of arterial fluids?
Their firming action or their formaldehyde index.
What are supplementary germicides?
They are additional germicides added to embalming fluids. Not in all cases.
What are solid autopsy chemicals and what are they used for?
They are dry - powder and are hardening compounds.
What do embalming anti-coagulants do?
They sequester calcium
What is cross linking action of formaldehyde preserved tissue?
This occurs between the nitrogen containing portions of the proteins.
Alcohols - Methanol is what type of vehicle?
Tincture solution
What are fillers used for?
To fill the body cavity when the viscera are missing.
What are arterial fluid preservatives used for?
To inactivate the active chemical groups of proteins and amino acids, inhibit decomp, kill micro organisms, destroy odors and eliminate further production and inactivate enzymes.
What do all glycols have?
Two hydroxyl groups.
What should you NEVER do?
Use formaldehyde in the presence of chlorine containing compounds.
What are the only two vehicles used for arterial and cavity fluid?
Water and alcohols.
What are embalming anti-coagulants also know as?
Water conditioners or water softeners
What do surfactants allow?
Water to flow through smaller openings such as capillaries, they are a surface tension reducer, it solfonates
What are some embalming vehicles?
Water, glycerin (glycerol), methanol
What is a preservative?
a naturally occurring or synthetically produced substances that is added to products such as foods, pharmaceuticals, paints, biological samples, wood and human or biological specimens to prevent decomposition by microbial growth or by undesirable chemical changes such as autolysis of the body by its own enzymes.
