Classification of bovine serum albumin

Bovine serum albumin (also known as BSA or "Fraction V") is a serum albumin protein isolated from cows. Rockland produces BSA in various formats for use in immunology, biochemistry, and biotechnology. BSA immunoassay applications include ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay), immunoblots (Western blot and dot blot), and immunocytochemistry (immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence microscopy). BSA (often from a fetal bovine source) is also used as a nutrient in cell and microbial culture.

Uses

In molecular biology, BSA is used to stabilize some restriction enzymes during digestion of DNA and to prevent adhesion of the enzyme to reaction tubes, pipet tips, and other vessels. BSA is considered to be a universal blocking reagent in many applications—this is because BSA does not affect the functions of other proteins (enzymes) that do not need it for stabilization.

BSA is also commonly used to determine the quantity of other proteins, by comparing an unknown quantity of protein to known amounts of BSA in, for example, the Bradford Protein Assay. BSA is used because of its stability to increase signal in assays, its lack of effect in many biochemical reactions, and its low cost, since large quantities of it can be readily purified from bovine blood, a byproduct of the cattle industry.

Classification of bovine serum albumin

Standard grade and reagent grade BSA products from SeraCare offer IVD manufacturers a consistent, reliable source of material for immunoassay, protein chemistry, and cell culture applications. Useful as blockers, diluents, stabilizers, and protein standards, BSA products serve as crucial components in many industry-leading diagnostic assays.

IgG-free, and virtually free of contaminating enzymes, salts, heavy metals, and low molecular weight contaminants;

Outstanding solubility with excellent clarity, filterability, and low UV background, even at high concentrations;

Very low in endotoxin, with low bioburden, and highly soluble in media - important characteristics for veterinary and biotechnology applications.

Standard Grade BSA

Standard grade BSA product is derived from bovine plasma collected at USDA‑licensed facilities in the United States. Animals received ante‑mortem and post‑mortem inspection under veterinary supervision and were passed as free of infectious or contagious diseases and injurious parasites.

Reagent Grade BSA

Reagent grade BSA is collected under the same guidelines as standard grade BSA; however, this product undergoes further processing to produce a highly purified powder. Processing may include extensive membrane dialysis and filtration, including charcoal filtration.

This additional processing helps to minimize analytes, including non‑esterified fatty acids that can cause background interference in sensitive in vitro diagnostic assays, as well as inhibition in sensitive cell and microbial culture systems. Purity levels in reagent grade BSA meet or exceed 98%.