Animal Component Free Media & Reagents Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The limitations of animal-based models for cell culture are being more widely recognized by the research community, bringing to the forefront cell and tissue-based methods. The increase in the use of non-animal or cell and tissue models also means the rise of animal-free materials and reagents for cell culture applications.

In addition to our growing portfolio of animal-free media, reagents, and supplements, our scientists answer frequently asked questions to ease the transition of scientists from animal-based to animal-free research.

If you have any question that is not listed below, please contact our Technical Support.

What is the definition of animal-free media and reagents?

We categorize animal-free media and reagents either as animal-component free or as non-animal origin.

• Animal component-free (ACF) products do not contain any primary raw materials directly derived from bovine or other animal tissue. ACF products also do not use bovine or other animal components in the manufacturing process.
•  Non-animal origin (NAO) products contain no animal origin components in the synthesis steps or in the final chemical structure.

What is the definition of xenobiotic-free (xeno-free) media and reagents?

Our products are labeled xenobiotic-free or xeno-free if no non-human animal origin primary raw materials, such as tissues or fluids, are used and no non-human origin materials are used in any step of manufacturing process.

What are chemically defined media and reagents?

Only chemical components with known concentration and structure are used in manufacturing process of chemically defined media and reagents. No animal origin primary raw materials, such as tissues or fluids, are used.

What commonly used media and reagents contain animal-derived material?

Serum, blood proteins like albumins, antibodies, and dissociation enzymes are the most commonly used reagents in cell culture applications that are based on animal ingredients.

What are the main concerns with the presence of animal components in my cell culture media and reagents?

The main concerns with animal components in media and reagents include batch-to-batch variability that results in low reproducibility of results, the presence of potentially pathogenic adventitious agents and viruses, restrictions on animal-derived materials by country regulatory authorities, and personal ethics.

What are the advantages of adopting animal-free media and reagents?

The advantages of animal-free media and reagents include consistently reproducible results due to no batch-to-batch variability, these products are easy to import, as they have little to no regulatory restrictions, and the products do not harm the environment upon responsible disposal. 

Can I replace all my media and reagents with animal-free products?

Our animal component-free portfolio is continuously evolving to include important cell culture workflow products. We currently have animal component-free and xeno-free growth factors, reagents, stem cell media, albumins, and cell freezing media suitable for most 2D and 3D cell culture workflows.

Do I have to change all my protocols to adopt animal-free methodology?

No. Our animal-free media and reagents can be seamlessly integrated into your experiments without any protocol changes.

Are all products recombinantly expressed in plant cells or E. coli automatically animal-free?

Not all recombinant products are animal-free. Although the primary raw material may not be of animal origin, the ingredients used during manufacturing processes may contain animal components. Some products may be lyophilized from buffers containing animal-derived stabilizers such as BSA. Some products may require to be used with buffers containing animal-derived ingredients for maximum activity. It is a good practice to confirm on these points to ensure that your experiments are truly animal-free. All our animal component free products are clearly labeled to avoid any misinterpretation.