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F0926

Sigma-Aldrich

Fetal Bovine Serum

USDA approved, sterile-filtered, suitable for cell culture

Synonym(s):

Fetal Bovine Sera, Fetal Calf Sera, FBS, FCS, sera, serum

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About This Item

MDL number:
UNSPSC Code:
12352207
NACRES:
NA.71

biological source

bovine fetus

Quality Level

sterility

sterile-filtered

product line

FBS Classic

quality

USDA approved

composition

Hemoglobin, ≤25 mg/dL

technique(s)

cell culture | mammalian: suitable

impurities

≤10 EU/mL endotoxin

shipped in

dry ice

storage temp.

−20°C

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General description

Fetal bovine serum (FBS) or fetal calf serum is the blood fraction remaining after the natural coagulation of blood. It comes from the blood drawn from a bovine fetus via a closed system of collection at the slaughterhouse. It is the most widely used serum-supplement for the in vitro cell culture of eukaryotic cells.

Application

FBS sourced from USDA approved non-USA countries is used in a broad range of cell culture applications. FBS provides many non-defined growth promoting and survival enhancing factors to cells in culture.

Fetal Bovine Serum has been used for the following cell cultures:
  • Primary Culture Human Macrophages (mononuclear cells were re-suspended in Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) medium containing fetal bovine serum (FBS) along with other components).
  • Tissue Culture (MEFs were cultured in DMEM supplemented with FBS along with components).
  • Isolation and 3D culture of primary mammary epithelial organoids
  • Cell culture and medium (HUVECs were grown in Endothelial Cell Growth Medium-2 supplemented with FBS and growth factors)

Suitability

USDA Approved Sourcing refers to FBS produced from blood collected in countries outside of the United States that have been approved by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) for export of beef products into the United States. Eligible countries for export into the U.S. include Australia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Honduras, Iceland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Uruguay. Foreign serum is tested to ensure the absence of exotic viruses before release by the USDA.

Analysis Note

  • Endotoxin and hemoglobin tested
  • Tested for the presence of bacteria, virus, and mycoplasma
  • Triple filtered with 0.1 micron membrane under aseptic conditions

Storage Class

10 - Combustible liquids

wgk_germany

WGK 3

flash_point_f

Not applicable

flash_point_c

Not applicable

ppe

Eyeshields, Gloves


Certificates of Analysis (COA)

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Articles

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Review the basics of using fetal bovine (or calf) serum for cell culture and how sourcing and regulations affect the price of sera for cell-based assays.

Find answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about FBS and other serum products, and links to related products.

Protocols

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