Honey as a Natural Fixative in Diagnostic Pathology

Fixation is an initial and important step in tissue processing for microscopic examination. The primary intention of fixation is to preserve the tissues in a life-like state, prevent bacterial putrefaction and autolysis. Worldwide, 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin has been used as a fixative because of its availability, low cost, ease of use, and speed of fixation. However, because of increasing concerns about its effect as a potential carcinogen, attempts have been made to find safer and natural alternatives. Ethanol (95%) is conventionally used as a fixative for exfoliative cytology but has its own drawbacks, i.e., subjected to pilferage, inflammable, expensive, evaporates easily, and requires license for its procurement, so the pathologists are in constant search of a natural and eco-friendly cytological fixative. In recent years, honey a natural sweetener have been successfully employed as a fixative in diagnostic pathology. This book is written for the researcher interested in exploring honey as natural fixative in diagnostic pathology.