10% Neutral buffered formalin (NBF) is the most commonly used fixative throughout the world for light microscopy and is a somewhat forgiving fixative. 10% NBF is well suited for large throughput laboratories, and requires a relatively short period of fixation, but can also be used for the long-term storage of tissue. Formalin fixation is thought to form between the aldehydes and the proteins, creating a gel, thus retaining cellular constituents in their in vivo relationship. Once properly fixed, the tissue should be able to withstand the subsequent stages of tissue processing or staining.

Formalin solution, neutral buffered, 10% has been used in oil-red-o staining for the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cell line and mouse embryonic fibroblasts into adipocytes. It has been used in the histological analysis of rabbit′s eye and diabetic rat intestine.

Formalin solution, neutral buffered, 10% has been used as a popular general purpose histological fixative to fix tissues.

Popular general purpose histological fixative.