[Histonet] Histoclear vs. Xylene

[Rene J Buesa]

Sarah:
Histoclear, also known as Histolene is a d-Limonene based xylene substitute and there are 13 opinions about it in HistoNet that I will try to summarize for you:
1-not as good as Xylene to dewax before IHC
2-has a strong odor
3-hardens brain, liver and spleen
4-not good for cover slipping
5-incompatible with xylene or toluene based cover medium
6- has produced skin rashes
7- has produced headache problems
8- fades hematoxylin
9-avoid Strong oxidizer when using it
10- has to be used with Histomount or Omnimount medium
11- generally speaking is a poor dewaxing agent
12- one posting concluded as "avoid it"
On the other hand Wynnchuk (1994) says is as good as xylene, but  Faolain et al (2005) wrote that it does not dewax well.
I am sure that there will be some that "love it", but I personally would not use it based on the above. 
Besides that it costs $59.29/gal or 1.47 times as much as xylene.
René J.

--- On Wed, 10/1/08, Hale, Sarah <Sarah.Hale <@t> uvm.edu> wrote:

From: Hale, Sarah <Sarah.Hale <@t> uvm.edu>
Subject: [Histonet] Histoclear vs. Xylene
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2008, 10:16 AM

Are there any opinions as to using histoclear vs. xylene?

Thanks!
Sarah 

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