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Safety Information

F6178

Sigma-Aldrich

Fetal Bovine Serum

USA origin, sterile-filtered, suitable for cell culture, suitable for hybridoma

Synonym(s):

FBS, FCS, sera, serum

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About This Item

MDL number:
UNSPSC Code:
12352207
biological source:
bovine fetus
origin:
USA origin
sterility:
sterile-filtered
shipped in:
dry ice
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biological source

bovine fetus

Quality Level

sterility

sterile-filtered

composition

Bovine IgG, ≤1 mg/mL
Hemoglobin, ≤25 mg/dL

origin

USA origin

technique(s)

cell culture | hybridoma: suitable
cell culture | mammalian: suitable

impurities

≤25 EU/mL endotoxin

shipped in

dry ice

storage temp.

−20°C

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General description

FBS remains a popular media supplement because it provides a wide array of functions in cell culture. FBS delivers nutrients, growth and attachment factors and protects cells from oxidative damage and apoptosis by mechanisms that are difficult to reproduce in serum-free media (SFM) systems.

Application

FBS sourced in the United States is used in a broad range of cell culture applications. FBS provides many non-defined growth promoting and survival enhancing factor to cells in culture.

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 Code

10 - Combustible liquids

WGK

WGK 3

Flash Point(F)

Not applicable

Flash Point(C)

Not applicable

Personal Protective Equipment

dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves

Regulatory Listings

Regulatory Listings are mainly provided for chemical products. Only limited information can be provided here for non-chemical products. No entry means none of the components are listed. It is the user’s obligation to ensure the safe and legal use of the product.

JAN Code

F6178PROC:
F6178-20ML-J:
F6178-50ML:
F6178-SAMPLE-J:
F6178-PH:
F6178-100ML:
F6178-RM:
F6178-BULK:
F6178-EW:
F6178-500ML:
F6178-VAR:


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Bon-Kyoung Koo et al.
Nature, 488(7413), 665-669 (2012-08-17)
LGR5+ stem cells reside at crypt bottoms, intermingled with Paneth cells that provide Wnt, Notch and epidermal growth factor signals. Here we find that the related RNF43 and ZNRF3 transmembrane E3 ubiquitin ligases are uniquely expressed in LGR5+ stem cells.
Li Ding et al.
Autophagy, 13(7), 1176-1190 (2017-06-09)
Although the treatments of malignant glioma include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy by oral drug administration, the prognosis of patients with glioma remains very poor. We developed a polyethylene glycol-dipalmitoylphosphatidyle- thanoiamine (mPEG-DPPE) calcium phosphate nanoparticles (NPs) injectable thermoresponsive hydrogel (nanocomposite gel)
Martina Belli et al.
Endocrinology, 159(4), 1690-1703 (2018-02-23)
Germline knockout studies in female mice demonstrated an essential role for forkhead box L2 (FOXL2) in early follicle development, whereas an inducible granulosa cell (GC)-specific deletion of Foxl2 in adults has shown ovary-to-testis somatic sex reprogramming. In women, over 120
Y Zhou et al.
Oncogene, 36(6), 731-745 (2016-08-02)
microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation is a common feature of cancer cells, but the complex roles of miRNAs in cancer are not fully elucidated. Here, we used functional genomics to identify oncogenic miRNAs in non-small cell lung cancer and evaluate their impact

Articles

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

Protocols

Protect your investment with best practices for storing and thawing FBS and other sera. Sample FBS for validation in your cell culture protocol.

Questions

1–9 of 9 Questions  
  1. Does Sigma-Aldrich offer fetal bovine serum (FBS) that is antibiotic-free?

    1 answer
    1. FBS can be tested for the presence of antibiotics. Products F2442, F0926, and F6178, Fetal Bovine Serum are routinely tested for Tetracycline (by far the most commonly used antibiotic in animals) and the results are reported on the lot specific Certificate of Analysis.Per the USDA, Antibiotics may be given to prevent or treat disease in cattle. A "withdrawal" period is required from the time antibiotics are administered until it is legal to slaughter the animal. This is so residues can exit the animal's system. FSIS randomly samples cattle at slaughter and tests for residues. Data from this Monitoring Plan have shown a very low percentage of residue violations.The USDA does random sampling of all cattle submitted for slaughter in USDA inspected facilities for antibiotics. The mandatory withdrawal period is 24 hours. Based on withdrawal periods required by the USDA, animal testing at slaughter and finished product testing, our serum is antibiotic free.

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  2. What is the cloning assay for Product F6178, Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS)?

    1 answer
    1. The cloning efficiency assay is performed on each lot of FBS to verify that each lot will support clonal growth of myeloma cells and/or fusion products. The assay is performed using 5% and 10% concentrations of the FBS.

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  3. How is Product F6178, Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) cell culture tested?

    1 answer
    1. Cell culture test: Biological performance is assessed using Sigma cell culture medium supplemented with the serum and tested at a final concentration of 10%. Seeding efficiency, doubling time, and final cell density are measured on appropriate cell lines. Growth studies are carried through two subculture generations and cell growth is plotted as a logarithmic function of time in culture. During the testing period, cultures are examined microscopically for atypical morphology and evidence of cytotoxicity. Hybridoma -tested serum has been shown to support mouse myeloma cells and hybridoma cells in culture.

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  4. Are all Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) products heat inactivated?

    1 answer
    1. Not all Fetal Bovine Serum products are heat inactivated. Product numbers F4135 and 12306C are heat-inactivated FBS.

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  5. Does Sigma-Aldrich offer delipidated bovine serum?

    1 answer
    1. At this time, Sigma-Aldrich does not offer delipidated bovine serum (either FBS or calf serum).A method for lipid depletion, though not necessarily that of Sigma:1. While mixing, gradually add 10 g fumed silica (Product S5130 or Aerosil) per liter of serum2. Mix at room temperature and then transfer to 2-8 °C for overnight mixing.3. After overnight mixing, remove flumed silica (Aerosil) by centrifugation at 3000-5000 rpm for 5 minutes.4. Retain the supernatant. The lipids should stick to the silica. There may be some protein loss

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  6. Is Product F6178, Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) available as a charcoal stripped, delipidated serum?

    1 answer
    1. We offer Product No. F6765 (Fetal Bovine Serum, charcoal stripped). The charcoal stripping decreases the levels of hormones; it may also decrease the levels of lipids. If further reduction of lipid levels is required, you may need to treat the serum with fumed silica (e.g. Product No. S5130). Use 20 grams of S5130 per Liter of serum (not plasma). It is mixed for 3-4 hours, then centrifuged in 1 L containers for about 15 minutes at 2000 xg. The supernatant can then be decanted, and filtered if desired. NOTE: Silica is extremely fluffy, and care must be taken not to inhale its dust. Allow for about 15% loss of the serum due to adsorption.

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  7. There is a precipitate in Product F6178, Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS).  Is my serum contaminated?

    1 answer
    1. Precipitates in serum can often appear as large round bodies, even as doublets per microscopic exam. This can be mistaken as a yeast contamination. Brownian motion may be mistaken for motility. These are lipid aggregates that will be readily dissolved when exposed to lipase. Also, these particles will not gram stain or show any growth in culture on aerobic, anaerobic, or fungal media and culture conditions. The performance of the material is not effected. Centrifugation or filtration of small volumes will remove these particles.

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  8. What is the Department of Transportation shipping information for this product?

    1 answer
    1. Transportation information can be found in Section 14 of the product's (M)SDS.To access the shipping information for this material, use the link on the product detail page for the product.

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  9. Once a bottle of Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) is thawed, for how long can the bottle be used?

    1 answer
    1. Once Fetal Bovine Serum has been thawed, the bottle can be used in cell culture for up to 7 days for most cell types when stored  refrigerated at 2-8°C.  If the cells are not fastidous (e.g. HeLa or fibroblasts), the thawed and refrigerated serum can be used for up to 30 days.  For some extremely fastidious cell lines, it may be necessary to screen individual lots for acceptable performance.  For uses such as blocking for various immuno procedures, usage will generally be for 30 days and perhaps somewhat longer when stored at 2-8°C.  For other procedures, usage beyond 30 days storage at 2-8°C will need to be determined.

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