Premium Fetal Bovine Serum by Omega Scientific: Advancing Biomedical Science

Fetal bovine serum, also referred to as fetal calf serum, is widely used as a supplement to basal growth medium by academic and industrial researchers in cell culture applications. It is the most commonly employed serum supplement for the in vitro culture of eukaryotic cells. This widespread use is attributed to its low antibody levels and high content of growth factors, making it suitable for a variety of cell culture-based applications.

Serum is the amber-coloured blood fraction remaining after natural coagulation, typically further refined by centrifugation to remove remaining blood cells, coagulation fibrinogens, and low-solubility proteins.

One of the major components of fetal bovine serum (FBS) is bovine serum albumin, a globular protein. The wide variety of proteins in FBS serves cultured cells by providing a medium in which they can survive, grow, and divide.

Classification of Bovine Serum

Bovine serum is categorized based on the age of the animal from which the blood is collected:

• Fetal bovine serum is sourced from fetuses.

• Newborn calf serum is obtained from calves that are 14 days old or younger.

• Bovine calf serum comes from calves that are six months old or younger.

• Adult bovine serum is collected from cows that are 12 months or older.

• Donor bovine serum is derived from cattle that are 12 months or older, raised in a specific, controlled herd solely for blood donation.

Bovine Serum Composition

FBS contains over 800-1000 different components, including: Growth and attachment factors for cells, Lipids, Hormones, Nutrients and energy sources necessary for growth (e.g., vitamins, sugars), Electrolytes, Carriers, Enzymes, Factors providing buffering capacity/protection from pH shifts, proteases, and toxins, Binding and transfer proteins

Applications

• Animal diagnostics

• Cloning

• Cryopreservation

• Stem-cell research

• In vitro fertilization

• Biopharmaceuticals

• Cell and gene therapy production

• Immunotherapy

• Synthetic protein production

• Viral vector production

• Vaccine production

The availability of research-grade fetal bovine serum (FBS) has significantly accelerated the progress of biomedical science, offering an unparalleled supplement to growth culture media. While serum-free media have introduced advantages for specific cell culture applications, FBS remains the most versatile and widely used nutrient source for cells. It is expected to continue as the primary supplement for laboratory tissue culture media for the foreseeable future.

Understanding the broad applications of Fetal Bovine Serum in cell culture and therapeutics, we at BTL Biotechno Labs Pvt. Ltd., an authorized distributor of Omega Scientific, are proud to offer their extensive range of high-quality Fetal Bovine Serum to the Indian scientific community to support and advance their research.

As the leading distributor of animal serum in India, BTL Biotechno Labs Pvt. Ltd. is committed to providing top-quality products for cutting-edge research.

Product Range by Omega Scientific 

• Fetal Bovine Serum, USDA Approved, Cat # FB-01

• Fetal Bovine Serum, USDA Approved, Heat Inactivated, Cat # FB-02

• Fetal Bovine Serum, U.S. Sourced, Cat # FB-11

• Fetal Bovine Serum, U.S. Sourced, Heat Inactivated , Cat # FB-12

• Fetal Bovine Serum, Tetracycline Approved, Cat # FB-15

• Fetal Bovine Serum, Australian Sourced, Cat # FB-21

• Fetal Bovine Serum, Australian Sourced, Heat Inactivated, Cat # FB-22

• Fetal Bovine Serum, Lipid Depleted, Cat # FB-50

Product Profile

Sterility: FBS is tested for the absence of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, molds, and fungi.

Endotoxin Testing: Endotoxin levels in FBS are determined by Gel-Clot LAL method.

Hemoglobin Testing: Hemoglobin concentration in FBS is determined by a colorimetric assay that measures the peroxidase activity of hemoglobin.

Mycoplasma Testing: FBS is tested for mycoplasma by the large batch Barile method for 28 days. Positive controls are inoculated and grown in parallel.

Viral Testing

• FBS is tested for the absence of viruses.

• Virus testing includes, but is not limited to:

• Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD)

• Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR)

• Parainfluena Type 3 (PI3)

• Bovine Spongiform Encephelopathy (BSE)

Additional Treatment

Heat Inactivation: FBS is thawed and then heated in a water bath at 56°C for 30 minutes. The bottle is continuously swirled to ensure complete inactivation of complement proteins.

Gamma Irradiation: Serum is exposed to 2.5 – 3.5 mRads (25-35 kGy) of radiation. A Certificate of Irradiation accompanies each lot that undergoes gamma irradiation.

Dialysis: Dialysis reduces the concentrations of low molecular weight components using a molecular weight cut-off of 10,000. FBS is dialyzed against 0.15M NaCl.

Charcoal Dextran Stripped / Treated: Steroid and hormone concentrations in FBS are reduced using charcoal, dextran, and NaCl until progesterone concentration is less than 0.2 ng/ml. A hormone panel is performed pre- and post-treatment.

For more details about the products, please connect with us at info@biotechnolabs.com