I have rinsed coyote intestines (SFCT protocol; Gesy et al. 2013) to extract samples of Echinococcus sp. tapeworm parasites. The rinsed samples include tiny tapeworms and intestinal mucosa stored in 70% ethanol (making ~15mL samples).

Now, I need to physically count all of the tapeworm scoleces to determine the morphological abundance of parasites in each sample. Unfortunately, the mucosa and tapeworms are very clumpy and it is difficult and time-consuming to separate them under the dissecting scope.

Does anyone know of an emulsifying agent that I can add to the sample (or store the sample in) that would allow for better homogenization of parasites and mucosa?

As per literature suggestion, I have already tried several methods that have not helped:

1) Physical homogenizing at the time of intestinal rinsing by adding a moderate sieve size of 500um (I used 1mm, 500um, and 125um sieve sizes). Additionally, I shook the sample really well to try to evenly distribute it in the ethanol.

2) Storing the sample in a 10% saline alcohol (made of 10% sodium chloride solution in 70% ethanol)

Any tips would be extremely helpful. Thank you.