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Albumax™

Quick Facts​

FeatureInformation
CategoryCell Culture Supplement
TypeLipid-rich bovine serum albumin (BSA)
Common StockReady-to-use formulation (manufacturer dependent)
Typical Working ConcentrationProtocol dependent (commonly 0.1-1% w/v in serum-free media)
Primary FunctionLipid transport and serum replacement
Common UsesStem cells, organoids, serum-free culture, recombinant protein production

Overview

Albumax™ is a highly purified, lipid-rich bovine serum albumin (BSA) preparation designed for serum-free and chemically defined cell culture. Unlike conventional BSA, Albumax contains naturally associated fatty acids, cholesterol, phospholipids, and other lipids that support membrane synthesis, cellular metabolism, and long-term cell survival.

Albumax is widely used in stem cell research, organoid culture, parasite culture, and recombinant protein production where reduced serum variability and improved lipid delivery are required.

Biological Principle

Albumax functions primarily as a carrier protein that transports hydrophobic molecules essential for cell growth.

It supports:

  • Lipid transport
  • Membrane biogenesis
  • Cellular metabolism
  • Growth factor stabilization
  • Serum-free cell survival

Unlike FBS, Albumax provides defined nutritional support with minimal batch-to-batch variability.

Composition

The exact formulation is proprietary but generally contains:

  • Highly purified bovine serum albumin
  • Fatty acids
  • Cholesterol
  • Phospholipids
  • Trace lipid components
  • Stabilizing molecules

Biological Functions

ComponentFunction
AlbuminCarrier protein and osmotic support
Fatty AcidsEnergy metabolism and membrane synthesis
CholesterolMembrane integrity
PhospholipidsMembrane biogenesis
Lipid-Soluble MoleculesCellular signaling and metabolism

Common Applications

Albumax is commonly used for:

  • Serum-free mammalian cell culture
  • Stem cell maintenance
  • Organoid culture
  • Recombinant protein production
  • Drug screening
  • Developmental biology
  • Parasite culture (Plasmodium falciparum)
  • Defined media optimization

Common Cell Types

Cell TypeTypical Application
Human ESCsSerum-free maintenance
Mouse ESCsPluripotency maintenance
Human iPSCsDefined media
Brain OrganoidsLong-term culture
Liver OrganoidsDifferentiation
CHO CellsRecombinant protein production
HybridomasSerum-reduced culture
Primary CellsSerum-free protocols
Plasmodium falciparumMalaria culture

Example Media Formulations

Stem Cell Medium​

KnockOut DMEM

Albumax

FGF2

GlutaMAX

Brain Organoid Medium​

DMEM/F-12

Albumax

Growth Factors

Serum-Free Hybridoma Medium​

IMDM

Albumax

ITS Supplement

Malaria Culture​

RPMI-1640

Albumax

Albumax vs BSA

FeatureAlbumaxBSA
Lipid ContentHighLow
Fatty Acid TransportExcellentModerate
Serum-Free CultureExcellentGood
Stem Cell SupportExcellentModerate
Defined FormulationYesYes

Albumax vs FBS

FeatureAlbumaxFBS
Defined CompositionHighLow
Growth FactorsMinimalHigh
Experimental VariabilityLowHigh
Lipid DeliveryHighModerate
Complete Serum ReplacementPartialYes

Advantages

  • Lipid-enriched albumin preparation
  • Supports serum-free and chemically defined media
  • Improves membrane synthesis
  • Stabilizes growth factors and cytokines
  • Reduces experimental variability
  • Excellent for stem cells and organoids
  • Suitable for recombinant protein production

Limitations

  • More expensive than standard BSA
  • Proprietary formulation
  • Does not completely replace serum
  • Requires appropriate growth factors for most applications

References

  • Gibco™ Albumax™ Product Information.
  • Freshney RI. Culture of Animal Cells: A Manual of Basic Technique and Specialized Applications.
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific Cell Culture Handbook.
  • ATCC Animal Cell Culture Guide.
  • Trager W, Jensen JB. Human malaria parasites in continuous culture. Science.