Specimen Preparation
All DeltaBio's specimens are treated with a chemical fixative that prevents decomposition. DeltaBio's uses two types of fixatives. One type of fixative is DeltaBio's formaldehyde-based solution that fixes specimens in a diluted (3.7%) formaldehyde solution, which has proven to be an efficient and stable fixative. This diluted formaldehyde fixative is known as “formalin” and has long been a standard in the industry.
The second type of fixative is DeltaBio’s 100% formaldehyde-free (form free), fixative called Safe-Way. Safe-Way is used during the fixation process so that no free chemical remains in the specimen. This formaldehyde-free option offers high-quality specimens that allow students and instructors to perform worry-free dissections without being concerned with formaldehyde exposure.
Some specimens, such as insects, require other chemical fixatives (e.g., alcohol) and are noted throughout our website.
Specimen Injection
Many specimens are offered in a variety of color injections. DeltaBio’s technicians have spent years perfecting injection techniques to produce a superior quality product. Liquid colored latex is injected into different sections of a specimen’s circulatory system for easy identification. After injection, the latex hardens into a non-toxic form with a rubbery-like consistency. The following chart details DeltaBio’s color injections:
- Type
- Description
- Plain
- No color injections
- Single
- Arterial system injected with red latex
- Double
- Arterial system injected with red latex
Venous system injected with blue latex - Triple
- Arterial system injected with red latex
Venous system injected with blue latex
Hepatic portal system injected with yellow latex - Exceptions:
- Sharks
- Single – Arterial system injected with red latex
Double – Arterial system injected with red latex & Hepatic system injected with yellow latex
Triple - Arterial system injected with red latex & Hepatic system injected with yellow latex & venous system injected with blue latex - Invertebrates
- Generally, one color for the entire circulatory system, the color chosen for best visibility