Fixative solution and method of preparation of biological sample

An aqueous fixative solution for biological samples consisting of:

• a) a C2 to C6 carboxylic acid at a concentration of 0.9M or greater;
• b) an alkaline earth halide salt at a concentration of 0.02M or greater;
• c) a biocidal essential oil component in a concentration of at least 50 μg/ml;
• and
• optionally one or more of:
• d) a bacteriostatic or fungistatic concentration of benzoic acid or sorbic acid or a salt thereof;
• e) a soluble carbohydrate;
• f) citric acid;
• and
• g) a surfactant.

An aqueous fixative solution for biological samples comprising:

• a) a C2 to C6 carboxylic acid at a concentration of 0.9M or greater;
• b) an alkaline earth halide salt at a concentration of 0.02M or greater;
• c) a biocidal essential oil component in a concentration of at least 50 μg/ml;
• and
• d) a bacteriostatic or fungistatic concentration of benzoic acid or sorbic acid or a salt thereof,
• wherein:
• i) said carboxylic acid component a) is acetic acid at a concentration of 0.9M to 1.75M;
• ii) said alkaline earth halide salt component b) is calcium chloride at a concentration of 70 mM to 100 mM plus calcium bromide at a concentration of 30 mM to 50 mM;
• and
• iii said component (d) is a benzoic acid salt at a concentration of 5 mM to 15 mM benzoate.

An aqueous fixative solution for biological samples comprising:

• a) a C2 to C6 carboxylic acid at a concentration of 0.9M or greater;
• b) an alkaline earth halide salt at a concentration of 0.02M or greater;
• c) a biocidal essential oil component in a concentration of at least 50 μg/ml;
• and
• d) a bacteriostatic or fungistatic concentration of benzoic acid or sorbic acid or a salt thereof,
• wherein:
• i) said carboxylic acid component a) is acetic acid at a concentration of 1.2M to 1.75M;
• ii) said alkaline earth halide salt component b) is calcium chloride at a concentration of 70 mM to 100 mM plus calcium bromide at a concentration of 30 mM to 50 mM;
• and
• iii) said component (d) is a benzoic acid salt at a concentration of 5 mM to 15 mM benzoate.

An aqueous fixative solution for biological samples comprising:

• a) a C2 to C6 carboxylic acid at a concentration of 0.9M or greater;
• b) an alkaline earth halide salt at a concentration of 0.02M or greater;
• c) a biocidal essential oil component in a concentration of at least 50 μg/ml;
• and
• d) a bacteriostatic or fungistatic concentration of benzoic acid or sorbic acid or a salt thereof,
• wherein:
• i) said carboxylic acid component a) is acetic acid at a concentration of 0.9M to 1.75M;
• ii) said alkaline earth halide salt component b) is calcium chloride and/or calcium bromide at a total concentration of from 1.0M to 4.5M;
• and
• iii) said component (d) is a benzoic acid salt at a concentration of 5 mM to 125 mM benzoate.