Fetal Bovine Serum - Premium Select, Heat Inactivated

Fetal Bovine Serum, also known as Fetal Calf Serum (FCS), is a critical supplement added to cell culture medium to maintain cell health and promote expansion. Different grades of FBS are available from R&D Systems that address the value and premium needs of research.

All lots of Fetal Bovine Serum – Premium Select are sterility, virus, and performance tested, and include a biochemical profile. In addition, a hormone analysis is performed. Lots are manufactured from USA origin or USDA-approved origin material following stringent manufacturing and quality control procedures. All lots of FBS - Premium Select are manufactured in our ISO 9001:2015 certified facility.

Heat Inactivation - Serum is inactivated by raising the temperature to 56 °C for 30 minutes under controlled conditions. The objective of heat inactivation is to destroy complement activity in the serum without affecting the growth-promoting characteristics of the product. Removal of complement activity from the serum is not required for most cell cultures, but may be necessary for cultures that are sensitive to the complement activity. Since heat inactivation of the serum may, to some extent, decrease the growth performance properties of the serum, this procedure should only be performed if actually required for optimal cell growth. Researchers should evaluate the applicability of heat inactivation in regards to their own application. If heat inactivation is required, the process should be carefully controlled to avoid increased formation of crystalline and flocculent precipitates, gelling of serum proteins and excessive loss of growth performance. Significant damage to serum can occur when it is subjected to higher than required temperatures or heated over extended lengths of time.

Protocol for Heat Inactivation of Serum Products.
Protocol for Fetal Bovine Serum Storage, Thawing, and Freezing.