The Effects of Water in the Retardation of the Fungi Aspergillus flavus Growth in Embalming Fluids

Indianapolis, IN

Cadavers are typically embalmed using fluids containing varying concentrations of alcohols, phenols, and glutaraldehydes in water to preserve the tissue and kill bacteria. Occasionally cadavers in gross anatomy studies become infested with mold growth. The primary goal of our research is to compare the effectiveness of embalming fluids at different concentrations in the prevention of the growth of mold on cadavers. Previous studies in our lab determined the optimal preparatory procedures for eight common embalming fluids. We selected four formulas to test their ability to retard the growth of Aspergellus flavus a common species of mold recovered from cadaver tissue. Embalming fluids diluted with water are significantly less effective in the prevention of Aspergellus flavus growth than embalming fluids consisting of a higher ratio of alcohol or preservatives to water. We were able to determine that a dilution ratio of 1:32 or higher would not retard mold growth. Mold cultures maintained for more than 120 days in diluted embalming fluids were still viable suggesting the need for proper preparation and storage of embalming fluids.