How to Cite: Tanwar, M., Sharma, M., Karthikeyan, R., Kumar, M., & Tyagi, V. (2022). Usage of coconut oil as a biofriendly xylene substitute in tissue processing and staining. International Journal of Health Sciences, 6(S1), 660-675. https://doi.org/10.53730/ijhs.v6nS1.4813 International Journal of Health Sciences ISSN 2550-6978 E-ISSN 2550-696X © 2022. Corresponding author: Sharma, M.; Email: drmanishsharma2007@gmail.com Manuscript submitted: 27 Nov 2021, Manuscript revised: 18 Feb 2022, Accepted for publication: 09 March 2022 660 Usage of Coconut Oil as a Biofriendly Xylene Substitute in Tissue Processing and Staining Mamta Tanwar Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Surendera Dental College and Research Institute, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, India Manish Sharma Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Surendera Dental College and Research Institute, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, India R. Karthikeyan Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Saveetha Dental College, Chennai, India Manish Kumar Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Surendera Dental College and Research Institute, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, India Vineet Tyagi MDS Oral Pathology, General Practitioner, New Delhi, India Abstract---Background: Xylene is colorless flammable liquids that is extensively used in stock pathology, however it is carcinogenic & neurotoxic. Hence, need to identify safer substitute of xylene is necessary. Aim: The aim of study was to determine efficacy of Coconut oil as a biofriendly substitute for Xylene as a clearing and dewaxing agent. Materials and methods: 70 soft tissue specimens were divided into equal halves which were processed simultaneously in xylene and coconut oil as clearing agents. Samples obtained after processing were observed for following parameters: Rigidity, Tissue shrinkage and Translucency. Paraffin blocks were prepared and two serial sections were obtained from each block. During sectioning tissue samples were observed for Nicks and Ribbons. After sectioning, one section was stained by standard hematoxylin and eosin using xylene while other section was stained by standard hematoxylin and eosin using Coconut oil as dewaxing and clearing agent. Tissue were evaluated using following parameters: cytoplasmic staining, Nuclear staining, Uniformity of staining, Clarity of staining, Crispness of staining and