gendre solution is an alcoholic version of bouin solution. an alcoholic solution saturated with picric acid is used instead of an aqueous solution saturated with picric acid when making this solution. this solution is useful when glycogen and other carbohydrates must be preserved in tissue. it is prepared by a mixing saturated solution of picric acid in 95% ethanol (80ml) with formalin (37-40% formaldehyde) (15 ml) and glacial acetic acid (5ml). gendre's fixative contains more picric acid than bouin's, because of greater solubility (6.23%w/v) in ethanol than in water (1.23%w/v).