Cell Culture Medium Powder: A Flexible Choice for Cell Culture

I. Specific Applications

Cell culture medium powder performs well in meeting personalized cell culture requirements. In stem cell research, different types of stem cells (such as embryonic stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells) have different nutritional requirements. Researchers can use cell culture medium powder to prepare a culture medium most suitable for the growth of specific stem cells according to existing research results and experimental designs. In the field of plant cell culture, for the cell culture of some rare plants, such as orchid cells, by using cell culture medium powder, the ratios of carbon sources, nitrogen sources, and plant hormones in the culture medium can be adjusted according to the special metabolic requirements of orchid cells to achieve efficient cell proliferation and production of secondary metabolites.

II. Advantages

Cell culture medium powder has numerous advantages. Firstly, it has a high degree of flexibility. Users can accurately adjust the concentrations of various nutrients according to the actual cell types being cultured and experimental requirements, achieving customized culture medium preparation. Secondly, it is convenient for storage and transportation. The powdered form occupies less space, and it is relatively stable at room temperature. Unlike liquid culture media, it does not require strict cold – chain transportation and storage conditions, greatly reducing costs. Thirdly, it is cost – effective. For large – scale cell culture operations, purchasing powder raw materials and preparing the culture medium by oneself is usually more economical than purchasing finished cell culture medium liquid.

III. Usage Methods

When using cell culture medium powder, first prepare clean and sterile containers and ultrapure water. According to the ratio on the product manual, slowly add the powder to the water while stirring with a magnetic stirrer to ensure the powder is fully dissolved. During the dissolution process, be careful to prevent excessive bubble formation. After dissolution, add other components such as serum and antibiotics as needed. For example, when culturing animal cells, an appropriate amount of fetal bovine serum is usually added, with a general addition amount of 10% – 20%. Then, use a pH meter to measure and adjust the pH of the culture medium to an appropriate range, such as 7.2 – 7.4.

IV. Precautions

When using cell culture medium powder, several points need special attention. One is that the weighing of the powder should be accurate. Inaccurate weighing will lead to an imbalance in the composition of the culture medium, affecting cell growth. The second is to ensure a sterile operating environment during the preparation process to prevent microbial contamination. Thirdly, when adding other components, pay attention to the quality and addition order of the components to avoid chemical reactions that affect the performance of the culture medium.