formaldehyde - Sciencemadness Dot Org

USES OF FORMALDEHYDE 320
7. Lepetit, R., Chim. et Ind.r 14, £52 [1925); C. A., 2D.25&.
S. JlattiEon, F. L., (to E. I. du Pout de Xemoms & Co., Inc.), U. £. Patent 1.934,454 ]{.34 .
S. Meeaer, W. E., (to U. S. Bubber Co.?, TJ. S. Patent 1,896,011 (1S35).
Jfl. Keresheimer, H+3 and Schneider, W-, (to General Aniline Works, Inc.), TA ?. Patent 1,>30, $52 'IsSl
II. nimami, F., "EnzyHopadie der technisohai Cheraie," Vol. fi, page 239, Berlin, Trbar. a-.d ?Vn^Lrz
berg, 1930.
]?r Williams, I., (to E. I. du Pont de Xemouts & Co., Inc.", U. F, Parent 1,WS^SS 34".
13. Wood, H.d CAem. -4^., 38, So-6 (Jan, 29,1G3S5.
Embalming and Preserving
The use of formaldehyde in embalming is an important application of its
preservative and hardening action on animal tissue. For this purpose
formaldehyde is seldom used alone, but is employed in conjunction with
various modifying agents in a wide variety of embalming fluids. The
modifying agents in these compositions serve to facilitate penetration,
increase preservative action, maintain moisture content and aid in the
production of desired cosmetic effects. Typical embalming compositions
described in the patent literature contain in addition to formaldehyde and
water: calcium chloride, alcohol and a coloring agent 3 ; magnesium citrate 9 ;
potassium nitrate and acetate 1 ; ionizable aluminum salts 5 ; soluble fluosilicates
6 ; an emulsion "with fatty substances containing lanolin 4 ; bile salts 7 ;
etc. Compositions containing arsenic and mercury have been employed
in some instances, but are now prohibited by law because of their masking
influence in cases of suspected poisoning.
Applications of formaldehyde as a preservative for hides and rubber
latex have been specifically described in use sections dealing with the leather
and rubber industries (pages 336 and 355). Its use as a food preservative
is prohibited by law, since formaldehyde-modified proteins are not readily
assimilated and the aldehyde is itself a toxic material. Miscellaneous
applications include the preservation of anatomical specimens and bacterial
cultures. Hollande* recommends a mixture of formaldehyde, copper
acetate picric acid and acetic acid as a special fixative for histological
sections. The preservation of bacterial cultures is accomplished by treatment
with formaldehyde vapor. This treatment kills the bacteria and
hardens the gelatin media without changing the appearance of culture
specimens, which may then be saved for future referenced Inedible fish
to be used in preparing fertilizer (page 332) may be preserved with formaldehyde.
References
1. Bhim3F.3Paffirtti-Zf3.,41,46S-9 (lS96);CSem.ZeraZr., 1896, U, 356,
2. Hauser, G., Munch, med. Wckschr., 40, S67-S (1883); Ctem, Zmtr.t 18*3* H, 691.
3. Hollande, A.-Ch., Bsr. ges. Physiol., 4,162 £1920); Chem. Zentr., 1931, H, 200,
4. Jones, H. I., (to The Naselmo Corp.), U- S. Patent 3,04S,OO3 (1936).
5. Jones, H. I., (to The Nasebno Corp.), IT. S. Patent 2,085,306 (1937).
6. Jonea, H. I., (to National Selected Mortieiansi, U. S, Patent 2,208,764 f 1340).