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Duboscq-Brasil Fluid

Duboscq-Brasil Fluid

Formula

Duboscq-Brasil fluid

MaterialAmount
Picric acid1g
Ethanol, 80%150mL
Formalin, concentrated60mL
Acetic acid, glacial15mL

Duboscq-Brasil fluid – alternate formula

MaterialAmount
Picric acid, saturated alcoholic12mL
Ethanol, absolute108mL
Water30mL
Formalin, concentrated60mL
Acetic acid, glacial15mL

Description

This solution is also known as Brasil’s fluid, and Humason refers to it as “Bouin-Duboscq’s” fluid. Since the solution is similar to alcoholic Bouin’s fluid it should have similar characteristics, i.e. it is likely to be fairly rapid with some hardening, and promotion of staining with acid dyes. It may be recommended when glycogen is the target element. Both ethanol and picric acid enhance the preservation of glycogen either by trapping it within protein or by precipitation. Transfer directly to 95% ethanol.

Picric acid is explosive in the dry state, however it saturates at 8.96% in absolute ethanol. 11.2 mL of this solution contains fractionally over 1 gram of picric acid. The formula for the alternate closely approximates the former, but avoids weighing dry picric acid.

Safety Note

Prior to handling any chemical, consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for proper handling and safety precautions.

References

  1. Gray, Peter. (1954)
    The Microtomist’s Formulary and Guide.
    Originally published by: The Blakiston Co.
    Republished by: Robert E. Krieger Publishing Co.
    Citing:
    Brasil, (1904)
    Archives de zoologie expérimentale et générale,, vol. 2, p. 445
  2. Shokeir, A. A., and Elbagoury, S. M.
    Alloxan-Schiff reagent for the detection of fixed rabies virus in the nerve cell
    J. med. Lab. Tech. (1966) vol. 23, p. 191
  3. Humason, G.L., (1967)
    Animal Tissue Techniques
    W.H. Freeman & Co., San Francisco, CA, USA