ABSTRACT
Toluene belongs to aromatic hydrocarbon previously apply in the processing of tissue in surgical pathology but has numerous health effects. Various oil used in the past are either ineffective, inconsistency or effective with a very high cost. This challenges us to exploit and determine the clearing property, suitability, and influence of Ricinus communis oil in the processing of tissue in surgical pathology. The oil was extracted using ultrasound sonicator. Four rabbit organs and six human tissues were selected these include: liver, kidney, brain, and lungs for rabbit, while stomach, fibroid, breast, cervical, skin and ovarian tissue for humans was group into five (A, B, C, D and E). Group (A) was processed with toluene as control and group (B-D) processed using Ricinus communis oil in 1hr, 2hr and 3hr in two changes at room temperature and in hot air oven. Group E was processed in an automatic tissue processor. The processed tissues were scored using physical changes such as rigidity, translucency, impregnation and easy of sectioning. Qualities of staining were evaluated as poor, fair and good. The cellular details, architecture and morphometric were determined and scored. It was observed that at a minimum temperature of 60oC following Bernoulli principle, the penetration of Ricinus communis oil into tissue and cells was enhanced, aiding clearing when compared with that of room temperature. It was observed that agitation produced by the automatic tissue processor also enhance the penetration and clearing effect of Ricinus communis oil.
