Maceration (bone)

Maceration is a bone preparation technique whereby parts of a vertebrate corpse are left to rot inside a closed container at near-constant temperature, to get a clean skeleton. It is a controlled form of putrefaction, the decomposition of a corpse by bacteria in anaerobic conditions. The best temperature is around 35° celsius, and can be maintained with an incubator. Maceration smells horribly, and the container should be kept closed, outside.

Related Topics:
Bone preparation - Vertebrate - Rot - Skeleton - Putrefaction - Decomposition - Bacteria - Anaerobic - Celsius - Incubator

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This method is an alternative to the Dermestes (skin beetles) method. That method is advised for small mammals (bats, rodents,...), small birds, snakes and other reptiles, and amphibians, because these animals' bones tend to fall apart in many tiny parts. Maceration is nearly always the best and cheapest method when cleaning a single skull. Fish should not be macerated, because of their poorly articulated, pliable skeleton.

Related Topics:
Dermestes - Skin beetle - Mammal - Bird - Reptile - Amphibian - Skull - Fish

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The corpse first needs to be skinned and defleshed as much as possible. All internal organs must be removed. In the case of mammals, care needs to be taken when removing the eyeballs, ears and jugular muscles, because some bones are shallow and brittle, for instance the thickened external acoustic opening of many mammals. The tongue should not be cut, because of the tongue and hyoid bones. A good tip is keeping the severed animal remains in several nylon panty hoses, for the legs, for the head etc.. Lipids and fatty acids in the bone and in the fat tissues tend to stain the bone brown.

Related Topics:
Tongue - Hyoid bone - Lipid - Fatty acid - Fat tissue

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The process itself is very simple. Put water (not warmer than 50°C) in a bucket, facultatively add some washing powder with enzymes (like Biotex), as it will soften the tissue (but take care with nails, as these are softened). A mild detergent or emulsifier can be used to remove fatty acids from the bone. Put the animal remains in the bucket, and close the lid. Bacteria will automatically start converting the flesh to their nutrients, and will continue to do so as long as the temperature remains constant. After two days the water needs to be replenished partially, to maintain the bacteria. This is a good time to further cut away flesh if needed. If left complete, most medium sized animals (like dogs) are macerated after ten days.

Related Topics:
Washing powder - Enzyme - Detergent - Emulsifier - Dog

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When done with macerating or using Dermestes beetles Biotex can be used again to whiten the bone, but care should be taken not to use too much, because the perchlorate can destroy the bone.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~