A quick guide to selecting the best FBS for your cells

Introduction

Are you picky about what you eat? Just like our preferences with food, the cells you use in research are also picky with their food. And, depending on the cell type, your cells may require a specific mixture of amino acids, glucose, vitamins and other important ingredients essential for proper cell growth. For cells requiring a powerful mix of growth factors, fetal bovine serum (FBS) is the most commonly used supplement for the widest range of cell types. When added to your media, FBS can provide the necessary ingredients needed to aid in optimal cell growth, maintenance, and survival.

This guide outlines various grades of FBS available, treatment options, benefits, and alternative options to consider when selecting the right serum supplement for your cells.

Captivate Bio fetal bovine serum

Sera including Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) is one of the most commonly used supplements for cell-based applications. Trusted by both academic and industry customers, Captivate Bio has become the go-to supplier for premium and specialty serum solutions with fast service and consistent supply. Additional lower-cost alternatives to FBS are also available including newborn calf serum, donor donkey, goat, and horse serum.

• Market-leading prices on premium FBS
• Comprehensive sterility, endotoxin, and viral testing
• Lot reservation program available

FBS treatment options

Captivate Bio offers FBS products that have undergone additional treatment to support sensitive culture applications.

TYPE	DESCRIPTION	CAT. NO.
Heat-Inactivated	Heat inactivation of serum is performed by raising the temperature of the serum to 56ºC and maintaining that temperature for 30 minutes. Heat inactivation is the method of choice to destroy complement protein activity	FBS1620HA
Gamma Irradiated	Gamma irradiation of serum is intended to assure the complete removal of a virus and or viral inactivation	FBS162GI

FBS specialty options

Captivate offers a selection of serum products designed for specialty applications and sensitive cell cultures,
including stem cell research, cancer research, reporter assays, immunoassays, and more.

TYPE	DESCRIPTION	PURPOSE	CAT. NO.
Charcoal-Stripped	Charcoal and dextran are commonly used to remove hormones that can affect cell culture growth; growth assays using Vero cells	For researchers requiring controlled levels of specific types of hormones and growth factors	FBS162CS
Exosome-Depleted	Depleted of ≥90% of endogenous exosomes and is intended for use in cell culture exosome isolation assays	For researchers who are interested in isolating exosomes from cultured cells without the complication of bovine exosomes that are present in standard FBS	FBS162XD-250
Lipid-Depleted	Lipid-depleted FBS reduces the concentration of lipids (free fatty acids)	For research applications where the normal concentration of lipids may interfere with cell growth	FBS162LD
TET-Free	Does not contain trace levels of tetracycline (or its derivatives) which have been observed to interfere with proper regulation of TRE-controlled gene expression	For researchers studying neuroscience, cancer research, drug screening, vaccine development, and gene editing	FBS162TF

FBS alternative products

Since FBS is a by-product of the meatpacking industry, the supply of FBS can fluctuate. The added variables of the environment, undefined growth factors, and geopolitical events account for inconsistent supply and demand which impacts price.

Over the last several years, human platelet lysate (HPL) has emerged as a superior, effective substitute for fetal bovine serum as a culture medium supplement. Platelets play an important role in tissue repair and wound healing within the body. The growth factors and cytokines naturally found in platelet-rich plasma are contained within extracted platelet lysate solution. HPL is an effective, high-protein supplement for the expansion of a variety of human cell types, including MSCs, ECs, iPSCs, T cells, and more.

PRODUCT	DESCRIPTION	PURPOSE	CAT. NO.
PLTMax®	Entry-level, lower-priced HPL, new user looking to swap out animal sera for low-risk applications	Academic research Human or animal cells	PLTMAX500R
PLTGold®	General stem cell research applications using common cell types (MSCs, iPSCs)	Pre-clinical research Stem cell research	PLTGOLD500R
ELAREM™ Ultimate-FDi	Clinically-relevant applications requiring virus-inactivation, safe, efficient cell growth	Cell manufacturing Cell therapy research	UL41022
PLTGold®	Low protein, low endotoxin, extensive quality testing and analysis	Cell manufacturing Cell therapy research	PLTGOLD500GMP

Driven to become your new serum supplier

With dedicated raw serum suppliers, Captivate Bio works directly with key manufacturers and has direct access to a secure supply of FBS or HPL to accommodate academic and industry research as well as cell production and manufacturing. Contact our team today to request a free quote on our premium FBS, specialty FBS, animal sera, or human platelet lysate (an FBS alternative).  

Learn More

• Explore Captivate Bio’s comprehensive list of animal sera and FBS products
• Download our Human Platelet Lysate for Cell Therapy Research Brochure
• Download our Research Spotlight on the comparative media study on the expansion of BM-MSCs