Alcohol formalin glacial acetic acid fixative (AFA)

The Alcohol Formalin Glacial Acetic Fixative (AFA) is a fixative solution used in histology and cytology. This solution consists of a combination of ethanol, formalin (formaldehyde) and glacial acetic acid (acetic acid). Ethanol helps fix proteins and lipids and preserves cell structures, while formalin is a strong fixative that cross-links proteins and stabilizes cell structure. Glacial acetic acid helps fix nucleic acids and aids in the preservation of cell nuclei.

AFA is used to fix tissue samples and cytological specimens. The combination of different fixatives allows good preservation of cell structures and tissue components, which is essential for subsequent staining and microscopic examination. Fixation with AFA helps to preserve the morphology and fine structure of cells and tissues and enables improved visualization and analysis of cell structures, tissue components and pathologies.