Celloidin Coating

This procedure is used when a treatment is to be applied which may remove the sections from the slide, usually a strong alkali, or when there is a strong possibility of a coarse precipitate forming which may settle on the tissue.

Solution

Chemical	Amount
Absolute ethanol	50 mL
Ether	50 mL
Celloidin	1 g
Note: ether is explosive and should be handled with care. Ensure there are no open flames in the vicinity.

 

Procedure

1. Ensure sections are in absolute ethanol.
2. Place into the celloidin solution for one minute
3. Stand on end on absrbent paper for about a minute to drain the excess, but do not allow to dry.
4. Place into 80% ethanol for 5 minutes to harden.
5. Continue with the procedure.
6. Before clearing and coverslipping the celloidin may be removed with an equal parts mixture of ether and absolute ethanol or with agitation in acetone. However, the treatment may have made the tissue fragile and it may float off the slide. In some cases it may be preferable to coverslip with the celloidin layer intact.

 

Reference

Lillie, R.D., (1954)
Histopathologic technique and practical histochemistry Ed.2
Blakiston, New York, USA.