Cell Culture Bags

Reasons to use cell culture media bags

 

Gibco universal cell culture bags offer flexible packaging that allows you to integrate a single-use, disposable large-volume media container with a wide variety of automated cell culture instruments, disposable bioreactor systems, and sterile connection processes, without the need for costly customization.

 

Explore the many benefits of using Gibco cell and tissue culture bags in your lab:

  • Disposable bags conveniently pre-filled with Gibco media in a variety of formulations and sizes
  • Specifically designed to increase productivity and reduce costs
  • Easily integrate with most systems: universal design provides multiple connection options
  • Stocked and ready when you need them

Features and benefits of Gibco cell culture bags

Figure 1.  Four-port design of Gibco culture bag.

Flexible design

Gibco universal cell culture media bags are available with multiple mechanical connection methods that offer:

  • Four-port design flexibility (Figure 1)
    1. Female-threaded Luer
    2. Blood spike
    3. Male-threaded Luer
    4. MPC quick connect
  • Media transfer system versatility—closed system maintained by utilizing three pre-connected C-Flex tubing transfer lines
  • Greater flow rate flexibility through a variety of tubing sizes (ID x OD, below)
    • 1/8” x 1/4” (3.2 mm x 6.4 mm)
    • 3/16” x 5/16” (4.8 mm x 7.9 mm)
    • 3/8” x 5/8” (9.5 mm x 15.9 mm)
  • Compatibility with the most commonly used thermoplastic tubing for sterile and aseptic connection devices
  • Translucent, animal origin-free film
  • Extra long tubing: 40 in (101 cm) workable tubing lengths

Ultralow density polyethylene (PE) contact layers

The product contact layer of the Gibco universal cell culture media bag is ultralow density polyethylene and has the following benefits:

  • Robust, clear, and animal-origin free film
  • Single-ply co-extruded film structure
  • Extremely low extractable and leachable profile
  • Superior gas transmission barrier properties
  • Consistent film across every bag size (1–1,000 L)

Physical property
Dimension
Value (before/after gamma sterilization)*
Procedure
Haze % 5 / 5 ASTM D-1003
Clarity % 98 / 98 ASTM D-1003
Transmittance % 93 / 93 ASTM D-1003
Tensile strength at break MPa 14 / 13 ASTM D-882
Elongation at break % 280 / 300 ASTM D-882
Elastic modulus MPa 370 / 350 ASTM D-882
Break at cold temperature ºC Below –45 / below –45 ISO 8570
Density g/cm3 0.9 ASTM D-792
Water vapor transmission rate** g/(m2.day) 0.35 / 0.32 ASTM F-1249
Oxygen permeability** cm3/(m2.day.atm) <0.05 / <0.05 ASTM D-3985
Carbon dioxide permeability** cm3/(m2.day.atm) <0.2 / <0.2 ASTM F-2476
Film thickness 0.325 mm    
*Gamma sterilization dose 25 kGy (except parameters marked ** received 50 kGy)


Conformity specs

Test
Specification
Result
Characters
 Pass Pass
Identification
(A-IR spectrophotometry)
 Pass
 Pass
Identification
(B-titanium-dioxide)
 Pass (≤4%) Pass
C-titanium-dioxide
 Pass
 Pass
Appearance of solution S1
 Pass
 Pass
Acidity or alkalinity
 ≤1.5 mL 0.01 N NaOH
≤1.0 mL 0.01 N HCl
 Pass (0.60 mL)
Pass (0.40 mL)
UV absorbance (220-340 nm)
 ≤0.20
 Pass (0.01)
Reducing substances
 ≤0.5 mL
 Pass (0.20 mL)
Extractable aluminum
 ≤1 ppm
 Pass
Extractable zinconium
 0.0
 ≤ 0.1 ppm
Extractable chromium
 ≤0.05 ppm
 Pass
Extractable heavy metals
 ≤2.5 ppm
 Pass
Extractable titanium
 ≤1 ppm
 Pass
Extractable vanadium
 ≤0.1 ppm
 Pass
Extractable zinc
 ≤1 ppm
 Pass
Extractable zirconium
 ≤0.1 ppm
 Pass
Sulphated ash
 ≤1%
 Pass (0.02%)
Substances soluble in hexane
 NA
 Impracticable
Antioxidants (max. 3)
 Pass
 Pass
Antioxidants
 <0.3%
 Pass
Amides and stearates
 Pass
 Pass


Physiochemical specs

Test
Method
Specification
Result
Nonvolatile residue
 USP <661> ≤15 mg Pass
Residue on ignition
 USP <661> ≤5 mg
 Pass
Heavy metals
 USP <661>
 <2 ppm
 Pass
Buffering capacity
 USP <661>
 ≤10 mL
 Pass

 

 

Biocompatibility specs

Test
Method
Specification
Result
Elution test
 USP <87> Pass
 Pass
Systemic injection test
 USP <88> Class VI
 Pass
Intracutaneous test
 USP <88>
 Class VI Pass
Buffering capacity
 USP <88>
 Class VI Pass

Gas transmission rates

Figure 2. Gas transmission rates of Gibco PE film compared to other culture bags on the market.

Lower is better

 

The Gibco PE film demonstrates significantly lower gas transmission rates in comparison to other cell and tissue culture bags on the market.

Gibco PE film construction

Figure 3. Structure of Gibco PE film.

  1. 50 μm Polyethylene
  2. 10 μm Adhesive layer
  3. 20 μm Ethyl vinyl alcohol (gas barrier)
  4. 10 μm Adhesive layer
  5. 230 μm Ultra low-density polyethylene (contact layer)

Gibco PE film pH stability

A shelf life stability study was conducted over a 19 month period for CD-CHO, DMEM, and FreeStyle 293. Media packaged in the Gibco PE film remains within pH specification limits.

Figure 4. Results of shelf life stability study examining pH in CD-CHO, DMEM, and FreeStyle 293 media packaged in Gibco PE film.

Customizable 

Our knowledgeable packaging experts and technical specialists are ready to assist you in:

  • Designing your own custom cell culture bags
  • Achieving efficient, on-site processing capabilities
  • Getting the technical assistance you need, when you need it

In addition, explore our media customization services for information on customized components, packaging, and QC testing.

Order media products in cell culture bags

GMP manufacturing

Gibco cell culture products are manufactured in facilities compliant with current good manufacturing practices (GMP) and adhere to a robust quality management system, helping to ensure the consistency, reliability, and high quality you can rely on.
 

Sustainable solutions

We are committed to delivering products that serve the research needs of our customers, while striving to develop them in a way that minimizes our use of natural resources and our impact on the environment.
 

Resources and support

Resources

Gibco Media Selection Tool
Find the right Gibco media for your application.  Use this interactive tool to select media based upon culture type, components, additives, and format. 

 

Cell Culture Select Tool
Search your cell line of interest to find product recommendations and resources to help enable a successful cell culture.

 

Gibco Cell Culture Basics
Learn best practices and fundamentals of cell culture. Topics include aseptic technique and methods for the growth and maintenance of cells in culture.

 

Cell Culture Videos
Explore this collection of cell culture videos providing valuable insights into techniques, resources, and the latest advancements in the field.

 

Cell Culture & Transfection Learning Center
Access cell culture and transfection educational resources for better experiment planning and execution.

Support

Cell Culture & Transfection Support Center
Find technical support recommendations for your cell culture and transfection workflows, including tips for experimental setup and in-depth troubleshooting help.

 

Need technical support? Contact our expert team for technical and application support of Laboratory Products.

 

Related products

 

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.