Neutral buffered formalin fixation

Contributed by Martin Fitzpatrick, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom

Fixation with neutral buffered formalin

  • To produce 10L pour a base 1L distilled water into a suitable container.
  • Add 40g sodium dihydrogen orthophosphate (monohydrate)
  • Add 65g disodium hydrogen orthophosphate (anhydrous)
  • Add 1L formaline (40% aqueous solution of formaldehyde)
  • Add a further 8L water for use
  • Immerse samples and fix for 12-24 hours
  • Samples may be stored in this fixative if required

This method is based, with permission, on an original protocol available here.