Animal component-free (ACF) cell culture refers to the practice of culturing cells using media and supplements that contain no materials derived from animals — including no FBS, no animal-derived serum albumin, and no animal-origin growth factors. ACF culture systems are increasingly required in cell therapy manufacturing, where xenogeneic materials introduce safety and regulatory risks.
Why ACF Matters in Modern Bioprocessing
FBS contains undefined growth factors, hormones, and proteins that introduce variability and potential contamination risks (mycoplasma, viruses, prions). For therapeutic cell products intended for human administration, animal-derived components are scrutinized by regulators and must be minimized or eliminated. ACF systems offer better batch consistency, improved traceability, and reduced regulatory burden.
ACF Alternatives to FBS
Key ACF alternatives include human platelet lysate (HPL) for MSC and T cell expansion, recombinant human albumin (rHSA) in place of BSA, defined synthetic media supplemented with recombinant growth factors, and chemically defined media for specific cell lines such as CHO and HEK293.
ACF vs. Xeno-Free
“Xeno-free” means no materials from a foreign species are used (so human-derived HPL qualifies), while “ACF” means no animal-derived materials at all. For allogeneic cell therapy, xeno-free is typically the minimum requirement; ACF is the more stringent standard.
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