Evaluation of Citrus aurantifolia (Lime) Juice as A Low-Cost, Locally Available Alternative to Formalin in Histological Fixation of Soft Tissues

This study evaluated freshly prepared Citrus aurantifolia (lime) juice as a fixative for Wistar rat tissues compared to 10% neutral buffered formalin (NBF). Liver, kidney, lung, heart, testis, and skeletal muscle tissues of Wistar rats were fixed in lime juice and formalin and compared macroscopically and microscopically. The tissues fixed in lime juice showed no architectural distortion and degeneration compared to tissues fixed in formalin during the first 7 days. From day 14 onward, the liver, kidney, and lung showed progressive microscopic and macroscopic degeneration and pigment deposition. Macroscopically, the tissues fixed in lime juice remained odorless but darkened with precipitate formation over time. Lime juice is an effective short-term fixative for routine histological studies.