[Histonet] soften beak

[Rene J Buesa]

10% KOH or NaOH for 30 minutes, will soften nails keratin and with longer exposure it will soften an avian beak BUT if the exposure is too prolonged it may affect the microscopic structure of the soft tissues.Exposing the whole head to KOH makes no sense because the bones will not be "soften" and the tissues will be affected. Besides, if you intend to infiltrate and section the whole head, you will have to use, on top of the KOH, an acid decalcifier.René J. 


     On Thursday, April 9, 2015 4:23 PM, Rui TAHARA <ruio7 <@t> hotmail.com> wrote:
   

 Hi, 

I am just wondering what you would recommend to soften avian beak for paraffin processing. 
I found a protocol that KOH could be used to soften keratin in nail, however, I have not been able to find that this method is applicable specific to beak. 
Another concern is if i use KOH for an entire head, does KOH affect (e.g. damage) soft tissues?

Thank you in advance, 

rui 

                         
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