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Human Serum Albumin (HSA)

Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most abundant protein in human plasma and has a molecular weight of approximately 66.5 kDa. It is used as a protein supplement in tissue cultures to transport hormones, vitamins or growth factors and to promote cell growth. In addition, HSA stabilizes the pH value of the cell culture medium, promotes the stability of the cell wall and binds toxic trace elements. HSA is also used for the solubilization of lipids and as a stabilizer or adjuvant in vaccines.

HSA is a stable, almost non-reactive, small protein with good solubility in water. Due to these properties, it is also used as a concentration standard for the calibration of test procedures (e.g. Bradford test, Lowry test, biuret reaction) or as a blocking reagent in immunological detection methods (e.g. ELISA, Western blot, ELISpot) and in immunohistochemistry.

Properties

Low BSE/TSE risk - Origin in the USA or Australia/New Zealand
High batch-to-batch consistency - Maximum purity > 95
High safety and quality - Strict quality control of raw materials, complete documentation

Article list - Solutions

ProdukteArtikelnummerMengeShop
HSA 20% solution
(20% HSA w/v in physiological NaCl)
HSA.LG.0020
20 ml
HSA.LG.0100
100 ml
HSA.LG.0500
500 ml

Article list - Powder

ProdukteArtikelnummerMengeShop
HSA Fraction V - lyophilized
Purity > 98% (according to agarose gel electrophoresis)
HSA.FV.0005
5 g
HSA.FV.0025
25 g
HSA.FV.0050
50 g
HSA.FV.0500
500 g
HSA.FV.1000
1000 g
HSA Fraction V - fatty acid-free, lyophilized
Extremely low content of total lipids and fatty acids, purity > 98%
HSA.FS.0005
5 g
HSA.FS.0050
50 g

Good to know

HSA (commercially purified HSA is also known as 'Fraction V') is the most abundant protein in human plasma. It preferentially binds polar molecules such as water and ions (e.g. Ca, K, Zn) and thus serves to regulate the colloid osmotic pressure in the blood. However, due to free hydrophobic regions, HSA also has an affinity for less polar substances such as fatty acids, hormones, bilirubin and various drugs and has various functions as a transport protein.

Fractionation according to Cohn

Albumins are often isolated using the so-called 'Cohn fractionation'. Cohn fractionation describes a gentle method for separating plasma proteins by adding ethanol. Ethanol is added to the blood plasma in increasing concentrations and the pH value and temperature are reduced at the same time. Plasma proteins precipitate specifically, depending on the ethanol concentration, pH value and temperature, and can be divided into different fractions:

Fraction I: Fibrinogen, Faxtor XIII
Fraction II: Immunoglobulins
Fraction III: Beta-1 lipoproteins, isoagglutins, prothrombin, mannan-binding lectin, transcobalamin II serum amyloid P and many more.
Fraction IV: Alpha- and beta-globulins
Fraction V: Albumins

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