Öz
The formalin solution is the best fixative and preservative chemical for the cadavers. However, it has harmful and carcinogenic effects on human health. Furthermore, boron is an essential element for humans and it has no known harmful effects on human health. Boric acid has also antiseptic features. In this study, it was aimed the measure the preservative effects of boric acid on formalin fixed striated muscle tissues thus decreasing the formalin’s exposure time in the laboratories. Firstly fresh bovine striated muscle tissues were fixed in the 10% formalin solution for a week and then divided and stored into 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 5%, 20% boric acid, 0.9% saline and 10% formalin solutions during seven months. After this period, tissues were again stored in the 10% formalin solutions for one month. Macro-anatomical and histopathological inspections were performed on the muscle tissues. Moreover, aerobic mesophilic bacteria, yeast, and mold proliferation were controlled in all solutions. It was observed that the high concentration of boric acid had corrosive effects on the striated muscle tissue whereas its low concentration did not have any protective effect against the microorganisms’ proliferation and proteolysis. In conclusion, boric acid concentrations that using in this study were observed that may not appropriate as a preservative agent for the cadaver protection. The future studies using at different concentrations of boric acid solutions with other chemicals should be planned.