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Glyoxal Acid-Free Fixative – A Modern, Non-Toxic Substitute for Formalin

Glyoxal Acid-Free Fixative – A Modern, Non-Toxic Substitute for Formalin

Safe and Effective Alternative to Formalin
GAF® (Glyoxal Acid-Free fixative) is an innovative, non-toxic histological fixative that effectively replaces formalin, eliminating its carcinogenic and toxic properties. With its neutral pH and excellent tissue fixation quality, GAF® is an ideal solution for histopathology laboratories, molecular research, and veterinary applications.
Why Choose GAF®?
✅ Safe for health – Free from carcinogenic substances, meeting the latest EU and US regulations on worker protection against formaldehyde.
✅ Excellent fixation quality – Preserves tissue structure, DNA, and RNA, enabling precise histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular analyses.
✅ Clinically tested – Proven efficacy in multicenter studies conducted in Europe and the US, published in prestigious scientific journals.
✅ Compatible with laboratory procedures – Can be used in standard histological protocols without the need for equipment modifications.
✅ Eco-friendly and non-toxic – No volatile toxic compounds, eliminating the need for ventilation systems, significantly reducing costs, and improving working conditions.
Applications of GAF®
🔬 Histopathological diagnostics – High-quality H&E and IHC staining.
🧬 Molecular research and DNA sequencing – Provides superior genetic material preservation compared to formalin.
🐾 Veterinary pathology – Ideal for fixing large tissue samples and organs.
🏥 Hospitals and clinical laboratories – A safe solution for both staff and patients.
Trusted by the Scientific Community
GAF® has gained recognition among leading research institutions and hospitals in Europe and the US, including The University of Texas, Mount Sinai Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Hospital, and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
🌍 Be part of the future of histology!
Order GAF® today and join laboratories choosing a safe, effective, and modern alternative to formalin!

  • Literature:

    1. Alternative protocols of tissue fixation dramatically reduces the impact of DNA artifacts, unraveling the interpretation of clinical Comprehensive Genomic Profiling Enrico Berrino, Sara Erika Bellomo, Anita Chesta, Paolo Detillo, Albero Bragoni, Amedeo Gagliardi, Alessio Naccarati, Matteo Cereda, Gianluca Witel, Anna Sapino, Benedetta Bussolati, Gianni Bussolati, Caterina MarchiòmedRxiv 2023.06.17.23291533; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.06.17.23291533

    2. Glyoxal Acid-Free (GAF) histological fixative is a suitable alternative to formalin – results from an open label comparative non-inferiority study Ales Ryska, Anna Sapino, Stefania Landolfi, Irene Sansano Valero, Santiago Ramon y Cajal, Pedro Oliveira, Paolo Detillo, Luca Lianas, Francesca Frexia, Pier Andrea Nicolosi, Tommaso Monti, Benedetta Bussolati, Caterina Marchiò, Gianni BussolatimedRxiv 2023.05.24.23290451; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.05.24.23290451
    3. NON-TOXIC ACID-FREE GLYOXAL FIXATIVE FOR VETERINARY HISTOPATHOLOGY, IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR ANALYSIS Valentina Zappulli, Filippo Torrigiani, Valentina Moccia, Paolo Detillo, Cecilia Gola, Lucia Minoli, Emanuela M. Morello, Erica I. Ferraris, Antonella Rigillo, Federico Caicci, Giulia Dalla Rovere, Davide De Biase, Lorenzo Riccio, Marco Rondena, Selina Iussich, Benedetta BussolatibioRxiv 2023.05.05.539541; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.05.05.539541

    4. Bussolati, G. 2022. Fixation in histopathology: the mandate to renew. Pathologica - Journal of the Italian Society of Anatomic Pathology and Diagnostic Cytopathology. 114, 4 (Sep. 2022), 275-277. DOI:https://doi.org/10.32074/1591-951X-782.

    5. Acid-free glyoxal as a substitute of formalin for structural and molecular preservation in tissue samples Gianni Bussolati,Laura Annaratone,Enrico Berrino,Umberto Miglio,Mara Panero,Marco Cupo,Patrizia Gugliotta,Tiziana Venesio,Anna Sapino,Caterina Marchiò Published: August 10, 2017 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0182965

    6. Histochemical and morphological evaluation of a glyoxal acid-free fixative Chelsea Peeler, Christopher R Pitzer, Hector G Paez, Sheila Criswell, DOI: 10.1080/10520295.2023.2300797

    7. Glyoxal-based fixation of Drosophila embryos for immunofluorescence staining and RNA in situ hybridization Shrunali Amin, Malika Basu, Valeria Buzinova, Anthony Delgado, Tejas Mahadevan, SanyaMishra, Sarah Zaida, Xi Wang, Anna Marie Sokac DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102385

    8. Alternative Tissue Fixation Protocols Dramatically Reduce the Impact of DNAArtifacts, Unraveling the Interpretation of Clinical Comprehensive Genomic Profiling Enrico Berrino, Sara Erika Bellomo, Anita Chesta, Paolo Detillo, Alberto Bragoni, Amedeo Gagliardi, Alessio Naccarati, Matteo Cereda, Gianluca Witel, Anna Sapino, Benedetta Bussolati, Gianni Bussolati, Caterina Marchiò DOI:10.1016/j.labinv.2023.100280

    9.Acid-free glyoxal as a substitute of formalin for structural and molecularpreservation in tissue samples Gianni Bussolati, Laura Annaratone, Enrico Berrino, Umberto Miglio, Mara Panero, MarcoCupo, Patrizia Gugliotta, Tiziana Venesio, Anna Sapino, Caterina Marchiò DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182965

    10. Performance evaluation of Glyoxal Acid-Free (GAF) used as histological fixative incomparison with Formalin.An open label, comparative non-inferiority study.

     

    Publication available at www.addaxbio.com and on-line.

  • EU and polish regulations

    EU 2019/983 Regulation and Occupational Exposure Limits for Formaldehyde

    EU Regulation 2019/983 permits the use of formaldehyde-containing products ONLY when no available alternatives exist. Furthermore, it mandates a gradual reduction in occupational exposure limits, setting the following permissible values:

    • Until July 2024: 0.62 mg/m³ (0.5 ppm)
    • After July 2024: 0.37 mg/m³ (0.3 ppm)

    Polish Labor Code and Employer Responsibilities

    Article 222 § 1 of the Polish Labor Code states that if an employee is exposed to carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic chemical substances, mixtures, factors, or technological processes, the employer is legally required to replace these substances or processes with less harmful alternatives.

    Additionally, the Regulation of the Minister of Health (July 26, 2024) concerning carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic chemical substances, mixtures, factors, or technological processes in the workplace specifies the employer's obligations, which include:
    ✔ Maintaining a registry of work activities involving such hazardous factors.
    ✔ Keeping records of employees working under exposure risks.
    ✔ Reporting information on used substances and processes to the relevant authorities.
    ✔ Ensuring employee participation in exposure prevention measures.

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