EMBALMING EMBALMING CHEMICALS & ProductsCHEMICALS & Products

TYPES OF EMBALMING TYPES OF EMBALMING CHEMICALS / ProductsCHEMICALS / Products

Preservatives (arterials)Preservatives (arterials)Cavity fluidsCavity fluidsSupplemental fluidsSupplemental fluidsSpecial Purpose fluidsSpecial Purpose fluidsAccessory ProductsAccessory Products

Function of Function of ARTERIAL FluidsARTERIAL Fluids(Preservative)(Preservative)

PreservationPreservation Disinfection - Disinfection -

germicidal & bactericidalgermicidal & bactericidal Anti-coagulationAnti-coagulation RestorationRestoration

It is important to achieve these without It is important to achieve these without objectionable changes in skin and tissues.objectionable changes in skin and tissues.

Action of PreservativesAction of Preservatives chemicalschemicals((or purpose for useor purpose for use))

Inactivate active chemical groups of Inactivate active chemical groups of protein and/or amino acidsprotein and/or amino acids

inhibit further decompositioninhibit further decomposition inactivate enzymesinactivate enzymes kill microorganismskill microorganisms destroy odors and eliminate their destroy odors and eliminate their future future

production. production.

Action of PreservativesAction of Preservatives chemicalschemicals

PRESERVATIVE chemicals inhibit or PRESERVATIVE chemicals inhibit or arrest (retard) decompositionarrest (retard) decomposition

notnot reverse reverse

What’s in there?What’s in there? Components? Components?

COMPONENTS OF ARTERIAL COMPONENTS OF ARTERIAL FLUIDSFLUIDS

PreservativesPreservatives GermicidesGermicides Anti-coagulantsAnti-coagulants VehiclesVehicles SurfactantsSurfactants DyesDyes Reodorants/DeodorantsReodorants/Deodorants Modifying agentsModifying agents

PreservativesPreservatives

AldehydesAldehydesAlcoholsAlcoholsPhenolsPhenols

AldehydesAldehydes

FormaldehydeFormaldehyde GlutaraldehydeGlutaraldehyde GlyoxalGlyoxal

FormaldehydeFormaldehyde

Chemical formulaChemical formula

HCHO or HHCHO or H22COCO

FormaldehydeFormaldehyde

colorless gascolorless gas has pungent, irritating odorhas pungent, irritating odor strong dehydrating agentstrong dehydrating agent strong oxidizing agentstrong oxidizing agent

accessory chemicals must be used to suppress accessory chemicals must be used to suppress the undesirable effects without loss of germicidal the undesirable effects without loss of germicidal actionaction

FormaldehydeFormaldehyde

prepared or created by oxidation of prepared or created by oxidation of alcoholsalcohols

specifically the burning of methanolspecifically the burning of methanol

FormaldehydeFormaldehyde

In aqueous solution is called formalinIn aqueous solution is called formalin

= HCHO gas dissolved in water= HCHO gas dissolved in water

Alternately described as a solution and a Alternately described as a solution and a mixturemixture

Formaldehyde = FormalinFormaldehyde = Formalin

HCHO mixed with HHCHO mixed with H22O is converted to O is converted to methylene glycol (a mixture)methylene glycol (a mixture)

Methylene glycol is an unstable compound Methylene glycol is an unstable compound (like hydrogen peroxide)(like hydrogen peroxide)

Formaldehyde = FormalinFormaldehyde = Formalin

Formalin is an aqueous solution of HCHOFormalin is an aqueous solution of HCHO

saturated solution saturated solution

40% HCHO by volume 40% HCHO by volume 37% HCHO by weight 37% HCHO by weight

FormaldehydeFormaldehyde In embalming applications typically In embalming applications typically

described by indexdescribed by index

Very little free formaldehyde is present in Very little free formaldehyde is present in the aqueous solutionthe aqueous solution

that has little or no impact b/c the ability to that has little or no impact b/c the ability to preserve /disinfect is due to the donation of a preserve /disinfect is due to the donation of a methylene group CHmethylene group CH22

(= Methylene glycol)(= Methylene glycol)

FormaldehydeFormaldehyde

In solid form known as In solid form known as PARAFORMALDEHYDEPARAFORMALDEHYDE

ParaHCHO is white powderParaHCHO is white powder

When HCHO converts to solid (powder) When HCHO converts to solid (powder) the process is known as polymerizationthe process is known as polymerization

FormaldehydeFormaldehyde

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

FormaldehydeFormaldehyde

Ammonia NHAmmonia NH44OH is a good true OH is a good true deodorant for HCHO deodorant for HCHO

HCHO & nitrogen products have an HCHO & nitrogen products have an affinity for one anotheraffinity for one another

when mixed the result is when mixed the result is UROTROPINUROTROPIN

polymerizes to PARAFORMALDEHYDEpolymerizes to PARAFORMALDEHYDE Ammonia NHAmmonia NH44OH is a good true deodorant OH is a good true deodorant

for HCHO ----> for HCHO ----> UROTROPINUROTROPIN Methanol is the anti-polymerant used to Methanol is the anti-polymerant used to

inhibit polymerization to para HCHO inhibit polymerization to para HCHO

***CONFUSION WARNING******CONFUSION WARNING***

MethanMethanaal is another name for HCHOl is another name for HCHO

IndexIndex

IS:IS:

amount of formaldehyde amount of formaldehyde measured in grams measured in grams dissolved in 100 ml. of waterdissolved in 100 ml. of water

i.e. the % of HCHO gas in a fluid or solutioni.e. the % of HCHO gas in a fluid or solution

Index measurementsIndex measurements

StrongStrong / high ~33-40% HCHO / high ~33-40% HCHO (difficult cases)(difficult cases)

MediumMedium / average ~20-30% HCHO / average ~20-30% HCHO (routine cases) (routine cases)

WeakWeak / low / mild ~10-18% HCHO / low / mild ~10-18% HCHO (jaundice and special cases)(jaundice and special cases)

other CLASSIFICATION methodsother CLASSIFICATION methods

ColorColorGeneral propertiesGeneral properties

IndexIndex

General propertiesGeneral properties deep penetration i.e. total diffusiondeep penetration i.e. total diffusion controlled firmingcontrolled firming thorough preservationthorough preservation dehydration controldehydration control controlled pHcontrolled pH uniform results uniform results

(esp. when used with staining dyes)(esp. when used with staining dyes) compatible with additives.compatible with additives.

Other preservative componentsOther preservative components

DialdehydesDialdehydesAlcoholsAlcoholsPhenolPhenolQuatsQuatsInorganic saltsInorganic salts

DIALDEHYDESDIALDEHYDES Glutaraldehyde Glutaraldehyde Glyoxal Glyoxal

GlutaraldehydeGlutaraldehyde patented for use in embalming fluid in 1943, but patented for use in embalming fluid in 1943, but

really came to the attention of the industry in really came to the attention of the industry in 1950's1950's

has 2 functional aldehyde groups v. 1 for HCHO has 2 functional aldehyde groups v. 1 for HCHO (di-aldehyde)(di-aldehyde)

is capable of reacting w/ protein over a wider pH is capable of reacting w/ protein over a wider pH range than other aldehyesrange than other aldehyes

has relatively low volatility, low odor, & low has relatively low volatility, low odor, & low toxicity toxicity -is naturally a liquid-is naturally a liquid

is an effective cold chemical sterilantis an effective cold chemical sterilant

Glutaraldehyde v. HCHOGlutaraldehyde v. HCHO more effective as a disinfectant than more effective as a disinfectant than HCHOHCHO

(fixes protein rapidly)(fixes protein rapidly) removes less water in the chemical reactionremoves less water in the chemical reaction

(so less of a dehydrating effect) (so less of a dehydrating effect) disinfects quicker at lower concentrations disinfects quicker at lower concentrations

than HCHOthan HCHO creates more cross linkages than HCHOcreates more cross linkages than HCHO

and the bonds are more stableand the bonds are more stable has better penetrating qualityhas better penetrating quality

Q: So why hasn’t Glutaraldehyde Q: So why hasn’t Glutaraldehyde replaced HCHO?replaced HCHO?

A: more expensive than HCHO to produceA: more expensive than HCHO to produce

GlyoxalGlyoxal

More potent than HCHOMore potent than HCHO(produces many more cross-links; the (produces many more cross-links; the more links the firmer the tissue and the more links the firmer the tissue and the less flexible the protein)less flexible the protein)

tends to stain tissue yellow so primarily tends to stain tissue yellow so primarily used in cavity fluids; used in cavity fluids;

works best in ph of 9-10works best in ph of 9-10

MOST PRESERVATIVES (especially HCHO) MOST PRESERVATIVES (especially HCHO) preserve best in an acid pH,preserve best in an acid pH,

BUTBUT in acid pH environment:in acid pH environment:- the greatest dehydration takes place and - the greatest dehydration takes place and - the greatest graying action takes place- the greatest graying action takes place

AdvantageAdvantage: : dialdehydesdialdehydes

AlcoholsAlcohols

cross link protein, but not as effectively as cross link protein, but not as effectively as aldehydesaldehydes

isopropyl has best germicidal qualitiesisopropyl has best germicidal qualitiesalcohols have strong dehydrating effect on proteinalcohols have strong dehydrating effect on proteinethanol, methanol, propanal, etc.ethanol, methanol, propanal, etc.

methanol is good methylene group donor & anti methanol is good methylene group donor & anti polymerizing agent for aldehydes; polymerizing agent for aldehydes;

is the most highly used alcoholis the most highly used alcohol

Why use alcohols?Why use alcohols?

1.1.outstanding preservativeoutstanding preservative2.2. good solvent for chemicals that do good solvent for chemicals that do not dissolve in waternot dissolve in water3.3. excellent penetrator; some excellent penetrator; some bleaching actionbleaching action4.4. stabilizes HCHO stabilizes HCHO5.5. serves as vehicle for other serves as vehicle for other ingredients in fluidingredients in fluid6.6. more toxic to bacteria than other more toxic to bacteria than other alcoholsalcohols

PHENOLIC COMPOUNDSPHENOLIC COMPOUNDS

Phenol Phenol akaaka Carbolic AcidCarbolic Acid (C (C66HH55OH)OH)

is a coal-tar derivative is a coal-tar derivative reliable disinfectantreliable disinfectant

very very good penetrating actiongood penetrating action b/c it is very b/c it is very rapidly absorbed into protein structures of rapidly absorbed into protein structures of skinskin

PHENOLPHENOL

bleaches bleaches tissues to a putty gray color (i.e., good tissues to a putty gray color (i.e., good for external packs on stains and discoloration)for external packs on stains and discoloration)

chiefly used in cavity formulations chiefly used in cavity formulations does not produce the readily detectable firmness does not produce the readily detectable firmness

of aldehydesof aldehydes

tends to create putty gray when combined w/ tends to create putty gray when combined w/ aldehydesaldehydes

the most powerful phenolic compounds are the most powerful phenolic compounds are not not soluble in watersoluble in water

found in triple or double base fluids with found in triple or double base fluids with

alcohol and/or HCHO alcohol and/or HCHO

(together these improve the bacteria killing (together these improve the bacteria killing power of phenols)power of phenols)

Quaternary Ammonium Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QUATS)Compounds (QUATS)

good germicidal and deodorizing qualitiesgood germicidal and deodorizing qualities used as topical antiseptic prior to surgeryused as topical antiseptic prior to surgery

in aqueous solution pH is neutralin aqueous solution pH is neutral

primary embalming useprimary embalming usecavity fluids cavity fluids cold sterilizationcold sterilizationdeodorant sprays deodorant sprays mold-proofing mold-proofing

QUATERNARY AMMONIUM QUATERNARY AMMONIUM COMPOUNDSCOMPOUNDS

Disadvantages:Disadvantages: not compatiblenot compatible with wetting & coloring with wetting & coloring

agents in most arterialsagents in most arterials

any alkaline substance i.e. soap will render any alkaline substance i.e. soap will render uselessuseless

used for used for disinfection of cavities, nose, skin, disinfection of cavities, nose, skin, etc. but lose their capabilities in presence of etc. but lose their capabilities in presence of HCHOHCHO

ExamplesExamples

benzalkonium chloridebenzalkonium chloride zephiran chloride (zephiran chloride (zephirol)zephirol) roccalroccal germitolgermitol

Inorganic SaltsInorganic Salts have been used since the have been used since the earlyearly days days examples: examples:

potassium acetate potassium acetate sodium nitrate sodium nitrate some salts of Aluminum (Al)some salts of Aluminum (Al)

can also act as buffers, anticoagulants & water can also act as buffers, anticoagulants & water conditionersconditioners

COMPONENTS OF ARTERIAL COMPONENTS OF ARTERIAL FLUIDSFLUIDS

PreservativesPreservatives GermicidesGermicides Anti-coagulantsAnti-coagulants VehiclesVehicles SurfactantsSurfactants DyesDyes Reodorants/DeodorantsReodorants/Deodorants Modifying agentsModifying agents

GermicidesGermicides Chemicals which killChemicals which kill disease causing disease causing

microorganismsmicroorganisms or or

render them incapablerender them incapable of reproduction of reproduction (same list as for preservatives)(same list as for preservatives)

Anti coagulantsAnti coagulants

postmortem processes naturally make blood postmortem processes naturally make blood become more viscous become more viscous

Anti-coagulants retard this tendency Anti-coagulants retard this tendency & / or& / or

prevent adverse reactions between blood and prevent adverse reactions between blood and other embalming chemicalsother embalming chemicals

Anti coagulantsAnti coagulants

are responsible to maintain blood in liquid are responsible to maintain blood in liquid statestate

facilitate blood removalfacilitate blood removal

Anticoagulants may be the principal Anticoagulants may be the principal ingredients of co &/or pre-injection fluidsingredients of co &/or pre-injection fluids

Anti coagulantsAnti coagulants Oxalates & citrates were the original Oxalates & citrates were the original

anticoagulants used anticoagulants used butbut oxalatesoxalates are toxic to are toxic to the embalmer the embalmer

Ionized calcium is a key factor in blood Ionized calcium is a key factor in blood coagulation.coagulation.

calcium ions cause hard water therefore calcium ions cause hard water therefore contributing to blood clotting & difficulties with contributing to blood clotting & difficulties with drainagedrainage

VehiclesVehicles

akaaka solvent / diluent / carrier solvent / diluent / carrier

serve as a solvent for the many ingredients serve as a solvent for the many ingredients incorporated into an embalming fluid.incorporated into an embalming fluid.

Water*****Water*****AlcoholAlcohol

VehiclesVehicles may be a mixture of solvents which keeps may be a mixture of solvents which keeps

the active ingredients in a stable and the active ingredients in a stable and uniform state during transport thru the uniform state during transport thru the circulatory systemcirculatory system

must not react w/ the active components must not react w/ the active components and make them uselessand make them useless

should not react w/ the tissues of the circ. should not react w/ the tissues of the circ. system, because this would interfere w/ system, because this would interfere w/ distribution & diffusion.distribution & diffusion.

Water as chief vehicleWater as chief vehicle

composes more than half of formalin composes more than half of formalin anywayanyway

vascular system is about 50% water vascular system is about 50% water our bodies are 75-80% water. our bodies are 75-80% water. 90% of our fluids use water as the vehicle.90% of our fluids use water as the vehicle.

Alcohols as vehiclesAlcohols as vehicles

MethanolMethanolakaaka methyl alcohol / wood alcohol methyl alcohol / wood alcohol

Ethanol Ethanol akaaka ethyl alcohol – ethyl alcohol – in in somesome special purpose and cavity fluids. special purpose and cavity fluids.

Glycerine, sorbitol, glycolsGlycerine, sorbitol, glycols

SurfactantsSurfactants

wetting agents wetting agents surface tension reducers surface tension reducers penetrating agents penetrating agents surface active agents surface active agents

SurfactantsSurfactants

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

AdvantagesAdvantages

- promote diffusion of preservatives thru - promote diffusion of preservatives thru capillary walls for uniform saturationcapillary walls for uniform saturation

- -promote uniform distribution of coloring promote uniform distribution of coloring agentsagents

--the lower the surface tension the faster the lower the surface tension the faster the rate of penetrationthe rate of penetration

-increase the germicidal action of solution. -increase the germicidal action of solution.

SurfactantsSurfactants

work best in low concentrations work best in low concentrations must be carefully selected for compatibility must be carefully selected for compatibility

with other chemicalswith other chemicals

Massage, manipulation and intermittent Massage, manipulation and intermittent drainage aid the action of surfactants drainage aid the action of surfactants

ExamplesExamples

Household detergents Household detergents • sodium lauryl sulfate***sodium lauryl sulfate***

Sulfonates & poly hydroxy alcoholsSulfonates & poly hydroxy alcohols• Glycerol- aka glycerineGlycerol- aka glycerine

Glycol Glycol • ethylene glycol = antifreezeethylene glycol = antifreeze

SorbitolSorbitol

DyesDyes

Staining (active) v. non-staining (inactive)Staining (active) v. non-staining (inactive)Create cosmetic &/or non cosmetic fluidsCreate cosmetic &/or non cosmetic fluids

May be part of the fluid formulationMay be part of the fluid formulationOrOr

Added to the solution at discretion of Added to the solution at discretion of embalmerembalmer

examplesexamples

Ponceau (cherry red – inactive)Ponceau (cherry red – inactive) Carmine red (natural vegetable color)Carmine red (natural vegetable color) FuchsinFuchsin ErythrosineErythrosine AmaranthAmaranth Eosine (yellow to orange) Eosine (yellow to orange)

Reodorants/deodorantsReodorants/deodorants

Chemicals having the capability of Chemicals having the capability of displacing or altering an unpleasant odor displacing or altering an unpleasant odor so that it is converted to a more pleasant so that it is converted to a more pleasant oneone

Perfuming materials / masking agentsPerfuming materials / masking agents Primary function is to enhance odors Primary function is to enhance odors

R is false D only – masks does not eliminate R is false D only – masks does not eliminate

Reodorants/deodorantsReodorants/deodorants

Most used in embalming are floral Most used in embalming are floral compounds which have been found to be compounds which have been found to be most effective in mitigating odors. most effective in mitigating odors.

Intended to give a more pleasant odor, not Intended to give a more pleasant odor, not to cover harshness of HCHOto cover harshness of HCHO

ExamplesExamples BenzaldehydeBenzaldehyde ClovesCloves SassafrasSassafras Oil of Wintergreen (is Methyl salicylate)Oil of Wintergreen (is Methyl salicylate) Spices such asSpices such as

Lavender, rosemary, etc. Lavender, rosemary, etc.(true low odor chemicals are result of using (true low odor chemicals are result of using donor compounds for slow release of aldehyde, donor compounds for slow release of aldehyde, not due to use of re/deodorantsnot due to use of re/deodorants

Modifying agentsModifying agents

HumectantsHumectants BuffersBuffers Water conditioners Water conditioners

(water softeners)(water softeners)

Modifying agentsModifying agents

Typically added to SOLUTION based upon Typically added to SOLUTION based upon case analysiscase analysis

purpose is to control the rate of action of the purpose is to control the rate of action of the main preservative ingredients main preservative ingredients

Go to cavity fluidsGo to cavity fluids