BSA Fatty Acid-Free — ≥98% | Fraction V | Drug Binding & Lipid Research
BSA naturally binds and transports fatty acids in vivo — each albumin molecule carries up to 7 fatty acid binding sites. In standard BSA preparations, these sites are occupied by endogenous fatty acids from the bovine serum source. For applications where fatty acid contamination would confound results — drug-albumin binding studies, lipid uptake assays, membrane protein research, and parasite culture — fatty acid-free (FA-free) BSA is required.
FA-free BSA is produced by charcoal treatment and/or solvent extraction to remove bound fatty acids and lipids, leaving the albumin backbone fully intact with open binding sites.
When FA-free BSA is required: Any study measuring fatty acid transport, uptake, or displacement. Drug binding and plasma protein binding (PPB) assays where unoccupied albumin binding sites are critical. Membrane lipid studies where exogenous FA would alter membrane composition. Plasmodium falciparum culture supplemented with defined lipid preparations.
Unique Applications of Fatty Acid-Free BSA
| Application | Why FA-free? | Protocol notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drug-albumin binding studies (PPB) | Occupied FA binding sites compete with drug binding — artificially lowers measured binding fraction | 0.5–4% FA-free BSA as defined binding matrix; FA-free ensures binding sites are available for test compound |
| Fatty acid uptake/transport assays | Pre-loaded FA in standard BSA masks tracer FA signal | FA-free BSA + labelled fatty acid (³H, fluorescent, or stable isotope) at defined molar ratio |
| Membrane protein reconstitution | Endogenous FA from standard BSA incorporates into lipid bilayers, altering membrane composition | FA-free BSA used in detergent removal steps to maintain defined lipid environment |
| Plasmodium falciparum culture (Albumax substitute) | Albumax II is fatty acid-supplemented BSA — FA-free BSA + defined lipid mixture replicates this with known composition | 0.5% FA-free BSA + hypoxanthine + lipid supplement; alternative to Albumax for defined culture conditions |
| Lipoprotein and lipid metabolism research | Standard BSA introduces undefined FA background into lipid flux experiments | FA-free BSA as carrier in VLDL, HDL, and cholesterol transport studies |
| Receptor binding assays (GPCRs, nuclear receptors) | Fatty acids are endogenous ligands for PPARs, GPR120, and other lipid-sensing receptors — contamination confounds agonist/antagonist assays | FA-free BSA as vehicle for test compound delivery to lipid-sensing receptor assays |
Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Purity | ≥98% (electrophoresis) |
| Fatty acid content | ≤0.01% (confirmed by GC or colorimetric assay) |
| IgG content | ≤1 µg/mg BSA (grade dependent) |
| Form | Lyophilised powder |
| Origin | EU, US, Australia/NZ |
| Pack sizes | 5 g, 10 g, 50 g, 100 g, 500 g | Bulk on request |
| Storage | +4 °C | −20 °C for long-term |
| Documentation | CoA, CoO, fatty acid test result, MSDS |
Complete BSA Portfolio at SeamlessBio
| BSA Grade | Key Properties | Primary Applications | Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Grade | ≥96% purity, Fraction V | General cell culture, protein assays, general blocking | Shop → |
| Low Endotoxin | ≤5 EU/mg, ≥98% | Primary cell culture, stem cells, sensitive assays | Shop → |
| Fatty Acid-Free | FA-free, ≥98% | Lipid/fatty acid research, membrane assays, drug binding | Shop → |
| pH 5.2 | ≥96%, adjusted to pH 5.2 | Acidic assay systems, pH-dependent binding studies | Shop → |
Contact: info@seamlessbio.de | +49 851 37932226