Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS)

Fetal bovine serum (FBS) is widely used as a supplement to the culture medium, especially by being rich in growth factors. However, the use of FBS may cause some adversity to the development of cell cultures. The batch quality of the FBS and the concentrations of its components varies. There is also a risk that FBS may be contaminated by fungi, bacteria, viruses or prions and their use involves the ethical question of animal experimentation [4,5]. When the cells are destined for clinical use in humans, the concerns of using FBS are even greater, since their components can trigger immune responses, with serious consequences for the patient