[Nhcoll-l] [EXTERN] Glycerol as a safer alternative to ethanol for display specimens - Feedback from your practice?

Tue Jun 24 10:13:40 EDT 2025

Dear Dirk,
Thank you very much for your fast reply.
Yes, I am in contact with Marion Dangeon and Laura Brambilla, and I attended their training last week. It was actually they who pointed me in that direction. We have also carried out the sealing of the jars.
The issue here is not only about considering long-term preservation, but also the risk posed by the presence of ethanol or formalin in the display cases. It has been demonstrated that preservation in glycerol is not the most suitable method, but if we assume that the specimens have no scientific value and are intended solely for exhibition, then this type of fluid could be preferred. I also forgot to mention that it is recommended to add a few crystals of menthol to the glycerol to limit the growth of fungal organisms.
Thank you again !
Best regards,
Marion

De : Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> De la part de Dirk Neumann
Envoyé : mardi, 24 juin 2025 15:55
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Objet : Re: [Nhcoll-l] [EXTERN] Glycerol as a safer alternative to ethanol for display specimens - Feedback from your practice?

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Dear Marion,

in your specific case, it is worth considering a permanent seal for the jars, as you cannot avoid fluctuations of relative humidity in the exhibition (even though this might be mitigated by your display cases).

Colleagues at the MNHN in Paris looked into (permanent) seals and sealants (there should be an article in the special edition of CoFo for the PFC conference in Paris), but there is also the group in Neuchatel ate the HE-Arc, which you probably know.

Dries van Dam and Simon Moore also published on suitability of specimens in glycerin and surely comment ...

Hope this helps
Dirk

Am 24.06.2025 um 15:40 schrieb Marion BILLOT:
Dear colleagues,

I am currently working on an exhibition project involving fluid-preserved specimens, and I am exploring the possibility of replacing ethanol with glycerol for long-term display purposes. The main objective is to reduce fire hazards and mitigate health risks in display environments (cases that are not airtight).

I am preparing to present this proposal internally. As this practice is not yet established in my institution and tends to raise concerns, I would be very grateful for any feedback from professionals who have experience using glycerol in this context.

To clarify:

  *   The specimens are of strictly pedagogical value, they are not scientifically rare or culturally significant.
  *   We aim for long-term display in semi-sealed cases with limited air exchange.
  *   I understand that transferring specimens from ethanol to glycerol requires several days of transitional baths in demineralized water to avoid osmotic shock and tissue damage. I am considering a gradual transition: ethanol 70 % → 50 % → 30 % → 10 %, followed by glycerol in increasing quart-step dilutions. I will let it in a minimum of 4 hours for small specimen (5 cm).

Have you used glycerol for display purposes in your institution? If so, under what conditions, and with what types of specimens? Any technical advice, protocol suggestions, or reference materials would be most appreciated.

Thank you very much in advance for your insights. They will be very helpful in supporting a safer and more sustainable exhibition strategy.
Best regards,

Marion

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Marion BILLOT
Collaboratrice support scientifique
Invertébrés
T. +41 22 418 6459
marion.billot at geneve.ch<mailto:marion.billot at geneve.ch>
Muséum d'histoire naturelle (MHN)
Département de la culture et de la transition numérique
Route de Malagnou 1
1208 Genève
www.museum-geneve.ch<http://www.museum-geneve.ch>
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Stiftung Leibniz-Institut zur Analyse des Biodiversitätswandels
Postanschrift: Adenauerallee 127, 53113 Bonn, Germany

Stiftung des öffentlichen Rechts;
Generaldirektion: Prof. Dr. Bernhard Misof (Generaldirektor), Adrian Grüter (Kaufm. Geschäftsführer)
Sitz der Stiftung: Adenauerallee 160 in Bonn
Vorsitzender des Stiftungsrates: Dr. Michael Wappelhorst
Marion BILLOT
Collaboratrice support scientifique

Invertébrés

T. +41 22 418 6459
marion.billot at geneve.ch

Muséum d'histoire naturelle (MHN)
Département de la culture et de la transition numérique
Route de Malagnou 1
1208 Genève
www.museum-geneve.ch

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