Plastination of macroparasites: An eco-friendly method of long-term preservation.

Niranjan Kumar,Ramasamy Menaka,Mehul M Jadav,Jayesh B Solanki,Bhupamani Das

doi:10.14202/vetworld.2017.1394-1400

Abstract

Aim:Preservation of macroparasites by infiltrating the polymer in the tissues can defy the inherited shortcoming of classical wet preservation method.Materials and Methods:Preservation was done by infiltrating the melamine alone or with xylene (MX)/chloroform (MC)/turpentine oil (MT) in 1:1 and hardener (MH) in 9:1 ratio in the tissues of the gross specimen of the animal parasites.Results:The plastinated models withstand the process of microbial decomposition, and remain intact in the environmental conditions. The polymer mixture resists the entry of the water molecule, and model dried just after taking out it from the water tank. Overall, the plastinated parasites were dry, non-sticky, glossy, odorless, chemical free, and harmless, to some extent flexible, with detectable morphological structure, and retain their natural form but lost their natural color. Full marks were assigned to the degree of dryness, non-stickiness, and odorlessness to the model plastinated in different solutions on a five-point scale. For flexibility, the score was 1.2, 2.2, and 2.4 for the plastinated model in melamine/MH, MX/MC, and MT solutions, respectively. The average score of glossiness was 4.6 and 5 for the specimen plastinated in melamine/MH and MX/MC/MT solutions, respectively. The degree of dryness, glossiness, stickiness, and flexibility varies non-significantly, with the polymer mixtures used.Conclusion:The prepared model can be used to educate the students/general mass population.

Highlights

The macroparasites occupy all the ecological niche of the world and exerts ill effects on the health of the hosts [1,2]
The polymer mixture resists the entry of water molecules inside the specimens, and the model becomes dry just after taking out it from the water tank; the plastinated model can be maintained even in the environment with high level of humidity
The average score of glossiness was 4.6 and 5 for the specimen plastinated in melamine/melamine and hardner (MH) and melamine and xylene (MX)/melamine and chloroform (MC)/melamine and turpentine oil (MT) solutions, respectively

Summary

Introduction

The macroparasites occupy all the ecological niche of the world and exerts ill effects on the health of the hosts (animals, birds, and human) [1,2]. There are different techniques to preserve the parasites for educational purposes in the academic institutions. The most widely accepted method of preservation is immersions and storage of the biological specimens in 10% formalin or 70% ethyl alcohol [3]. These materials are well-known fixative but the stored specimens are having some inherent shortcomings such as wet, with noxious odors, hazardous to the handlers, and difficult to transport. The continuously emitting noxious gas can harm the respiratory system, eyes, and skin of the handlers.

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Discussion

Conclusion