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MilliporeSigma

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
Sterility:
sterile-filtered
Shipped in:
dry ice

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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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1 of 4

This Item
F7942F244212103C
technique(s)

cell culture | mammalian: suitable

technique(s)

cell culture | mammalian: suitable

technique(s)

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

technique(s)

cell culture | mammalian: suitable

biological source

bovine fetus

biological source

bovine fetus

biological source

bovine fetus

biological source

bovine fetus

sterility

sterile-filtered

sterility

γ-irradiated, sterile-filtered

sterility

sterile-filtered

sterility

-

composition

Hemoglobin, ≤25 mg/dL

composition

Bovine IgG, ≤1.0 mg/mL , Hemoglobin, ≤20 mg/dL

composition

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

composition

hemoglobin, ≤20 mg/dL

storage temp.

−20°C

storage temp.

−20°C

storage temp.

−20°C

storage temp.

−20°C

impurities

≤10 EU/mL endotoxin

impurities

≤10 EU/mL Endotoxin

impurities

≤10 EU/mL endotoxin

impurities

≤10 EU/mL endotoxin

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).[1]
  • Tissue Culture (MEFs were cultured in DMEM supplemented with FBS along with components).[2]
  • Isolation and 3D culture of primary mammary epithelial organoids[3]
  • Cell culture and medium (HUVECs were grown in Endothelial Cell Growth Medium-2 supplemented with FBS and growth factors)[4]

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


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Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Lot/Batch Number

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Questions

1–5 of 5 Questions  
  1. What is the lot-to-lot consistency of this product?

    1 answer
    1. This serum product is collected from USDA approved abbatoirs and pooled for production. Analytical specifications for Endotoxin, Total Protein, Osmolality, and pH are assigned, and these values reflect a high level of consistency. The maximum allowable hemoglobin content is 25 mg/dL. This value, as well as other measured components, may vary significantly from lot to lot. Note that samples of available lots may be requested for screening purposes. Please see the link below to review a sample or lot specific Certificate:
      https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/sigma/f0926#product-documentation

      Helpful?

  2. Is this item heat inactivated?

    1 answer
    1. This product is not heat inactivated.
      Please view product F4135 for a heat-inactivated Fetal Bovine Serum:
      https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/product/sigma/f4135.

      Helpful?

  3. 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.

      Helpful?

  4. 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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  5. 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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