F6178
Fetal Bovine Serum
USA origin, sterile-filtered, suitable for cell culture, suitable for hybridoma
Recommended Products
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
Application
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
related product
WGK
WGK 3
Flash Point(F)
Not applicable
Flash Point(C)
Not applicable
Personal Protective Equipment
Regulatory Information
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’.
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Which document(s) contains shelf-life or expiration date information for a given product?
If available for a given product, the recommended re-test date or the expiration date can be found on the Certificate of Analysis.
Are all Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) products heat inactivated?
Not all Fetal Bovine Serum products are heat inactivated. Product numbers F4135 and 12306C are heat-inactivated FBS.
Is Product F6178, Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) available as a charcoal stripped, delipidated serum?
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.
How is Product F6178, Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) cell culture tested?
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.
What is the cloning assay for Product F6178, Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS)?
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.
There is a precipitate in Product F6178, Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS). Is my serum contaminated?
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.
How do I get lot-specific information or a Certificate of Analysis?
The lot specific COA document can be found by entering the lot number above under the "Documents" section.
How do I find price and availability?
There are several ways to find pricing and availability for our products. Once you log onto our website, you will find the price and availability displayed on the product detail page. You can contact any of our Customer Sales and Service offices to receive a quote. USA customers: 1-800-325-3010 or view local office numbers.
What is the Department of Transportation shipping information for this product?
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.
Does Sigma-Aldrich offer delipidated bovine serum?
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
Does Sigma-Aldrich offer fetal bovine serum (FBS) that is antibiotic-free?
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.
Once a bottle of Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) is thawed, for how long can the bottle be used?
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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Articles
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Protocols
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