Title
Staying Hydrated: A Comparative Analysis of Humectants in Human Tissue
Files
Keywords
Anatomy, Cadaver, Humectant, Skeletal muscle
Abstract
Humectants are an important class of compounds that attract and retain water within a cell. When mixed with water to create wetting solutions, humectants can prevent desiccation of cadaveric specimens. Recognizing a relative scarcity of comparative studies analyzing the effects of various wetting solutions on post-preservation cadaveric maintenance, we utilized wet-dry analysis in order to compare the effects of four common humectants on water retention in human skeletal muscle tissue. We created a concentration gradient for each humectant to identify the optimal concentrations of each compound for water retention, after which we compared water retention in tissue at the optimal concentrations of each humectant under standardized conditions. Through this simple assay, we show that skeletal muscle tissue submerged in glycerol solution retained the most moisture. Through further experimentation, we plan to carry out similar studies using additional human tissues in order to create a tissue library, which will provide an evidence-based standard for wetting and rehydrating solutions used in anatomy labs.
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BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Monsen, Joseph; Prince, Rachel; and Adams, Jason PhD, "Staying Hydrated: A Comparative Analysis of Humectants in Human Tissue" (2023). Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2023. 12.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/library_studentposters_2023/12
Document Type
Video
Publication Date
2023-02-14
Language
English
College
Life Sciences
Department
Exercise Sciences
Copyright Use Information
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