Determination of protein loss during aqueous and phase partition fixation using formalin and glutaraldehyde

In phase partition fixation tissue is immersed in an organic solvent at equilibrium with an aqueous phase containing a fixing agent. By using radioisotope labeling techniques the effects of phase partition fixation on protein retention during fixation of tissue with formalin and glutaraldehyde have been determined and compared with those of standard aqueous fixation using these fixatives. It has been shown that retention of protein in tissue during phase partition fixation was as good or better than during aqueous fixation. Improved retention provides further evidence that phase partition fixation may be a useful alternative to aqueous fixation.