Test K-DeS Comparative Formaldehyde

K-DES® Comparative Test to replace the Formaldehyde as it

avoids the decomposition and allows the preservation of organic matter.

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- K-DES® has properties to replace the formaldehyde as it avoids the decomposition

and allows the preservation of organic matter, maintains organs and tissues in a

perfect state of preservation for at least 72 hours when immersed in a 3% or 5%

aqueous solution of this product.

- Rex 36, index 36, diluted to 10% (equivalent to a formaldehyde concentration of

more than 3.5%) has a preservative effect on the tissues. This is a well known fact

as this product is one of the most widely used in the North American undertaking

industry, which is the largest and most important market for embalming products.

- 3% and 5% solutions of K-DES® has properties to replace the formaldehyde as it

avoids the decomposition and allows the preservation of organic matter, as it allows

a rapid penetration of the product into the cell tissue due to the osmotic effect

produced as the water in the solution passes through the semi-permeable cell

membranes. This effect probably allows a better preservation of the tissue inside

the organ, although a further comparative study of the internal effect of these

solutions should be undertaken.

- K-DES® has properties to replace the formaldehyde as it avoids the decomposition

and allows the preservation of organic matter, as it keeps the tissues soft and in a

perfect state of preservation.

- Rex 36, index 36, preserves the tissues but causes them to contract and makes

them more rigid, but K-DES ® keeps its volume and keeps them flexible.

- A 3% or 5% solution of K-DES® does not produce harmful or unpleasant effects for

its handler or surrounding people.

- So we can say that K-DES® has all the properties to replace the formaldehyde as it

avoids the decomposition and allows the preservation of organic matter, adding into

it very important series of advantages.

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A Comparison

between K-DES® and Formalin

Performed between

February 1st and 4th 2008 www.abc-des.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preliminary comments regarding the Test ...................................................2

Object ...........................................................................................................2

Test Conditions.............................................................................................3

Day 0. Start – 01-02-2008 ................................................................................4

Just prior to the start of the test ....................................................................4

Start of the Test ............................................................................................5

Effects at the start of the test........................................................................7

Effects one hour into the test........................................................................9

Day 1 – 02-02-2008 ........................................................................................11

Effects 12 hours into the test ......................................................................11


Day 2 – 03-02-2008 ........................................................................................15



Day 3 – 04-02-2008 ........................................................................................19



Conclusions...................................................................................................23

Comparison between K-DES® and Formalin

- 2 -

Preliminary comments regarding the Test

Object

Previous studies have shown that K-DES® is an effective disinfectant at a concen-

tration of 25%. The objective of the present study, however, is first of all to demon-

strate that it is an effective preservative of organic matter at much lower

concentrations and, secondly, to perform a comparative study between K-DES® and

a well-known and effective commercial, formalin-based product. This study was per-

formed with different concentrations of K-DES® solution in order to determine the

concentration at which the product has the desired effect.

The formalin-based formula REX 36, index 36, is manufactured by the company Em-

balmers’ Supply Company, ESCO (US) and is one of the most widely used products

in the American undertaking market. The index 36 in its commercial name indicates

that the product has a formalin content of 36%. As this fluid should be used as a 10%

solution, the test solution has a formalin concentration of 3.6%.

The recommended retail price for K-DES® is €7.50 per litre whereas the retail price

of REX 36, index 36, is €3 per half litre (therefore the following calculations use a

price per litre of €6), plus the cost of postage from England.

The test was performed with pig kidneys due to their delicate nature and high de-

gree of vascularisation.


- 3 -

Test Conditions

The test was performed between February 1st and 4th 2008 at POMPAS FÚNE-

BRES DEL CONDADO, S.L., Ctra. Salvaterra, s/n, 36860 Ponteareas, Pontevedra.

The kidneys were placed in a plastic container in one of the rooms of this establish-

ment, covered completely with the test solution and any changes observed and as-

sessed.

As the formalin-based preparation emits a very penetrating smell that might have

affected the working of the establishment, it was decided to cover the containers

with a plastic cover from the very beginning in order to work under identical sealed

conditions, even though this precaution is not necessary for the samples treated

with K-DES®.

The different treatments were assessed by considering the colour and smell of the

samples, which, although this may appear to be subjective, is not so in this case due

to the very pronounced changes observed.

The observer who made the assessments is a reputable undertaker with many

years’ experience in the handling, treatment and preservation of tissue, which

means that he is well qualified to assess small changes in the evolution of the

treated tissue samples.


- 4 -

Day 0. Start – 01-02-2008

Just prior to the start of the test

We can see here the three kidneys just prior to adding the preservative solution:

SAMPLE A

SAMPLE B

SAMPLE C


- 5 -

The three test solutions were then prepared:

A – A 3% aqueous solution of K-DES®.

B – A 5% aqueous solution of K-DES®.

C – A 10% aqueous solution of REX 36, index 36.

Start of the Test

COMMENTS

K-DES® is a fast-acting, transparent, non-crystalline product with a characteristic

smell, which means that treated samples can easily and accurately be distinguished

from untreated samples.

The 3% K-DES® solution is very

clear and transparent, the 5% solu-

tion is less transparent and the for-

malin-based solution contains a

dye.

The three pig kidneys selected at the start of the study were classified as follows:

Sample A, with no previous treatment, was placed into the container containing the 3%

K-DES® solution and more solution added until the sample was completely covered.

Sample B, with no previous treatment, was placed into the container containing the 5%

K-DES® solution and more solution added until the sample was completely covered.


- 6 -

Sample C, with no previous treatment, was placed into the container containing a

10% solution of the formalin-based product, in other words a solution with a formalin

content of 3.6%, and more solution added until the sample was completely covered.

The mean temperature of the testing room at the start of the test was 15 °C.


- 7 -

Effects at the start of the test

The first observation was made on February 1st at 21:10.

SAMPLE A

Comments: The sample is crystal-

line and transparent.

Smell: Slight smell of K-DES®.

Colour of the treated tissue: Dark

pink.

SAMPLE B

Comments: The solution is whitish

and poorly transparent.



pink.


- 8 -

SAMPLE C

Comments: The solution is pinkish

and its fumes are immediately no-

ticeable, producing irritation in the

airways and eyes of the observer.

Smell: Strong and unpleasant,

causes irritation.


pink.


- 9 -

Effects one hour into the test

The second observation was made on February 1st at 22:10, one hour after starting

the test.

SAMPLE A

Comments: A clear colour loss and

fixation of the sample is observed.


Colour of the treated tissue: Grey.

SAMPLE B

Comments: The solution has become

more opaque, which makes determina-

tion of the state of the tissue more dif-

ficult.




- 10 -

SAMPLE C

Comments: The colour of the sample

has also faded, although the dye in the

product minimises this change.

Smell: Strong and unpleasant, causes

irritation.

Colour of the treated tissue: Pink.

The difference between the samples can clearly be seen. Sample A is more wrin-

kled than the other two samples.

Sample B is smoother.

Sample C is less wrinkled than sample A and is pinker, although this could be due to

the dye in the product rather than the action of formalin itself. Even though this sam-

ple contains only a small amount of formalin its fumes are very unpleasant and pro-

duce irritation in the nose and eyes.


- 11 -

Day 1 – 02-02-2008

Effects 12 hours into the test

The following photographs were taken at 10:10 on February 2nd.

SAMPLE A

Comments: An important change is

observed: The sample has increased

in size and the volume of liquid has

dropped due to absorption into the

sample. The sample is noticeably

spongy to the touch.


Colour of the treated tissue: Light

grey.


- 12 -

SAMPLE B

Comments: The sample was re-

moved from the liquid for observation

due to the liquid’s opacity. A loss of

colour can be seen along with a cor-

rect preservation of the tissue, al-

though its more wrinkled appearance

seems to indicate that the solution

has not penetrated to as great an

extent as with sample A. It is also

spongy to the touch, although less so

than sample A.



SAMPLE C

Comments: The colour of the sam-

ple has also faded, although the dye

in the product minimises this change.


causes irritation.



- 13 -


The following photographs were taken at 22:10 on February 2nd.

SAMPLE A

Comments: First of all it can be

seen that the solution has darkened,

although both its smell and colour

indicate no loss of efficacy as both

parameters remain identical to those

observed previously.

Another important change is that the

sample has increased in size, which

indicates that the solution has pene-

trated the tissues. The sample is still

noticeably spongy to the touch.


Colour of the treated tissue: Light

grey.


- 14 -

SAMPLE B

Comments: Although this sample is

more wrinkled than the previous one,

it is more swollen than 12 hours pre-

viously, which indicates that the tis-

sues have continued to absorb

solution. It is also spongy to the

touch.



SAMPLE C

Comments: The sample maintains a

light pink colour due to the dye. In

light of its state of preservation, it is

clear that there is some fixation of

the solution, although this process is

slower and has occurred to a lesser

degree than in the other samples.

This sample is also harder due to the

astringent nature of formalin.

Smell: Unpleasant, still produces

irritation.



- 15 -

Day 2 – 03-02-2008


The following photographs were taken at 10:10 on February 3rd.

SAMPLE A

Comments: The solution is even

darker due to the higher concentra-

tion of K-DES® and because the lar-

ger amount of water absorbed has

forced the organic residues to the

outside of the sample; the preserva-

tion remains good, however, and its

size has again increased due to a

greater absorption of the solution.


Colour of the treated tissue: Lighter grey.


- 16 -

SAMPLE B

Comments: The size and preserva-

tion of the sample remain the same.

The remaining solution is more

opaque.



SAMPLE C

Comments: At first sight there are

no obvious changes in the sample,

except that the solution is also darker

and the tissues appear to be more

rigid.


causes irritation.



- 17 -


The following photographs were taken at 22:10 on February 3rd.

SAMPLE A


no changes. The pinkish region on

top is the part that is no longer sub-

merged in the liquid as absorption

into the tissues has increased the

size of the sample such that it pro-

trudes above the surface of the solu-

tion. The sample remains in a good

state of preservation.


Colour of the treated tissue: Even

lighter grey.

SAMPLE B

Comments: The size is the same

and its colour is lighter, although still

darker than the previous sample.




- 18 -

SAMPLE C

Comments: There are no obvious

changes in the sample, except that

the solution is also darker.

Smell: Much less unpleasant.



- 19 -

Day 3 – 04-02-2008


The following photographs were taken at 10:10 on February 4th.

SAMPLE A

Comments: No important changes

can be seen. The preservation ap-

pears to be very good as this sample

is bigger than the others and there

are no signs of putrefaction.


Colour of the treated tissue: Lighter grey.


- 20 -

SAMPLE B

Comments: The preservation is

good although absorption of the solu-

tion by the tissues appears to be

lesser.



SAMPLE C


changes, apart from the remaining

solution being darker, although the

tissues appear to be more rigid.

Smell: Mild.



- 21 -


The following photographs were taken at 22:10 on February 4th.

SAMPLE A


no changes. The pinkish region on

top is the part that is no longer sub-

merged, although the sample re-

mains in a good state of

preservation.


Colour of the treated tissue: Even

lighter grey.

SAMPLE B

Comments: No major changes can

be seen. The preservation is good.




- 22 -

SAMPLE C


changes in the sample, except that

the solution is darker.

Smell: Much less unpleasant.


As no further changes appeared to be occurring the test was stopped after 72 hours

even though the three samples were still in a perfect state of preservation.


- 23 -

Conclusions

- K-DES® maintains organs and tissues in a perfect state of preservation for at

least 72 hours when immersed in a 3% or 5% aqueous solution of this prod-

uct.

- Rex 36, index 36, diluted to 10% (equivalent to a formalin concentration of

more than 3.5%) has a preservative effect on the tissues. This is a well

known fact as this product is one of the most widely used in the North Ameri-

can undertaking industry, which is the largest and most important market for

embalming products.

- 3% and 5% solutions of K-DES® allow a rapid penetration of the product into

the cell tissue due to the osmotic effect produced as the water in the solution

passes through the semi-permeable cell membranes. This effect probably al-

lows a better preservation of the tissue inside the organ, although a further

comparative study of the internal effect of these solutions should be under-

taken.

- K-DES® keeps the tissues soft and in a perfect state of preservation.

- Rex 36, index 36, on the other hand, preserves the tissues but causes them

to contract and makes them more rigid.

- A 3% or 5% solution of K-DES® does not produce harmful or unpleasant ef-

fects for its handler or surrounding people.

- A 10% solution of Rex 36, index 36, has an irritating and unpleasant effect

on the upper airways and eyes due to the fumes it gives off. This means that

people handling it should work with the appropriate safety measures (gloves,

safety glasses and face mask), with all their inconvenience and discomfort,

which often means that they disregard this advice, to avoid the inherent

work-related risks.


- 24 -

- Rex 36, index 36, stains the sample due to the dye included in the formula-

tion.

- The solutions of K-DES® used bleach the sample as they contain no dye, al-

though one could be included if necessary.

- If we suppose that one litre of preserving solution was used in each con-

tainer, we can make the following calculation:

TEST SOLUTION COST OF PRODUCT USED

3% K-DES® €0.225

5% K-DES® €0.375

10% Rex 36, index 36 €0.601

In light of the results obtained, we can conclude that the use of a 3% K-DES®

solution is optimal for the correct preservation of organic matter and is com-

parable to the recommended dose of formalin (3.6%), although some 62.5%

cheaper.

1 This figure does not take into account the cost of transporting the product from England to

Spain.

Test K-DeS Comparative Formaldehyde

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