Skip to Content
Merck
All Photos(1)

Key Documents

F0850

Fetal Bovine Serum

new

Synonym(s):

Fetal Bovine Sera, Fetal Calf Serum

Sign Into View Organizational & Contract Pricing


About This Item

UNSPSC Code:
12352207
eCl@ss:
32160409
NACRES:
NA.71

biological source

bovine fetus

sterility

sterile-filtered

product line

FBS Classic

composition

Bovine IgG, ≤1 mg/mL
Hemoglobin, ≤20 mg/dL

origin

USA origin

technique(s)

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

impurities

≤10 EU/mL endotoxin

shipped in

dry ice

storage temp.

−20°C

General description

Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) is a complex mixture with low and high molecular weight biomolecules exhibiting optimal growth-enhancing and growth-suppressing functions. FBS contains molecules, such as growth factors, proteins, vitamins, trace elements, hormones etc. These molecules are important for the growth and maintenance of cells. It is a common supplement for cell culture media.citationcitation FBS is derived from the calf blood. It is devoid of fibrin and clotting factors. Heat inactivation of FBS blocks the complement system.citation FBS derived from clotted blood is the most widely used undefined supplement in eukaryotic, especially mammalian, cell culture.citationcitation It is typically used with the classical media that were developed in the 1950s and 1960s. These include many popular media such as Minimum Essential Medium (MEM),citation Dulbecco′s Modified Eagles Media (DME, DMEM); Iscove′s Modified Eagles Medium (IMDM),citation M199citation and Roswell Park Memorial Institute medium, RPMI-1640.citation

Application

  • tested for the presence of bacteria, virus, mycoplasma, endotoxin and for hemoglobin content
  • triple filtered with 0.1 micron membrane under aseptic conditions
FBS derived from clotted blood is the most widely used undefined supplement in eukaryotic, especially mammalian, cell culture. It is typically used with the classical media that were developed in the 1950s and 1960s. These include many popular media such as Minimum Essential Medium (MEM); Dulbecco′s Modified Eagles Media (DME, DMEM); Iscove′s Modified Eagles Medium (IMDM); M199 and Roswell Park Memorial Institute medium, RPMI-1640.
Fetal Bovine Serum has also been used as a component of:
  • perivascular-resident macrophage-like melanocytes (PVM/M) growth mediumcitation
  • synthetic oviduct fluid (SOF)citation
  • Eagle′s minimum essential medium (EMEM)citation
  • neurobasal mediumcitation
  • Hyclone McCoys 5 A mediumcitation
  • Hanks mediumcitation

Biochem/physiol Actions

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.

Analysis Note

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

Other Notes

Tested for the presence of bacteria, virus, mycoplasma, endotoxin and for hemoglobin content. 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


Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Search for Certificates of Analysis (COA) by entering the products Lot/Batch Number. Lot and Batch Numbers can be found on a product’s label following the words ‘Lot’ or ‘Batch’.

Already Own This Product?

Find documentation for the products that you have recently purchased in the Document Library.

Visit the Document Library

Our team of scientists has experience in all areas of research including Life Science, Material Science, Chemical Synthesis, Chromatography, Analytical and many others.

Contact Technical Service