Search Thermo Fisher Scientific
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 4. 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 4)
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)
Tech summary
| 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
| 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. |
 |
| Figure 1.Gas transmission rates of Gibco PE film compared to other culture bags on the market. |
Gibco PE film construction
 |
| |
| Figure 2.Structure of Gibco PE film. | ||
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 3.Results of shelf life stability study examining pH in CD-CHO, DMEM, and FreeStyle 293 media packaged in Gibco PE film.
Customizable
Design your own custom solution
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, ensuring 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.
Learn more about sustainable solutions
Resources
Cell Culture & Transfection Learning Center
Access cell culture and transfection educational resources for better experiment planning and execution.
Gibco Cell Culture Basics
Learn the fundamentals of cell culture for achieving consistent results, including laboratory setup, safety, and aseptic techniques.
Media Formulation Tool
Find the right Gibco media formulation for DMEM, DMEM/F-12, MEM, and RPMI-1640 media.
Related products
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.
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.