Description
Product Overview
BSA Standard Grade — Bovine Serum Albumin for Western Blot, ELISA & Protein Quantification is a reliable, cost-effective bovine serum albumin (purity ≥96%, endotoxin <10 EU/mg, LAL-tested per lot) for routine laboratory applications. Sourced from cattle in Australia, New Zealand, and the USA — OIE-certified BSE/TSE-negligible-risk regions — with Certificate of Origin and BSE/TSE freedom declaration per batch.
The right choice wherever consistent protein quality matters but the stricter endotoxin or fatty acid specifications of higher BSA grades are not required. Compare all grades in our BSA Grades Guide or browse the full BSA & Albumin portfolio.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Bovine plasma (AU / NZ / US) | Certificate of Origin |
| Purity | ≥96% | Electrophoresis |
| Endotoxin | <10 EU/mg | LAL (FDA/USP standard) |
| Fatty acids | Present (natively bound) | — |
| pH | 6.8–7.5 | pH meter |
| Format | Lyophilised powder | — |
| Storage | RT sealed; 2–8 °C after opening | — |
| Shelf life | 3 years from manufacture | — |
| BSE/TSE status | Free (OIE-certified regions) | Origin certificate |
BSA Grade Comparison — Which Grade for Which Application?
| Grade | Purity | Endotoxin | Fatty Acids | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | ≥96% | <10 EU/mg | Present | Western blot, protein standard, ELISA diluent, enzyme stabilisation, PCR |
| Low Endotoxin | ≥96% | <5 EU/mg | Present | Cell culture, serum-free media, sensitive immunoassays |
| Fatty Acid Free | ≥98% | <5 EU/mg | Removed | CHO/Vero/MDCK, lipid studies, hormone assays |
| Diagnostic Grade | ≥99% | <1 EU/mg | Present or free | IVD, clinical diagnostics, GMP applications |
Not sure which grade fits your application? See our BSA Grades Guide for a detailed selection matrix.
Applications
- Western blot blocking — 5% BSA in TBST; preferred over milk for non-phospho targets; 1–3% BSA for antibody dilution
- Protein quantification standard — Bradford, BCA, Lowry, and A280 assays; standard curve 0–2000 µg/mL; known extinction coefficient (E¹% = 6.7)
- ELISA blocking & sample diluent — 1–5% BSA in PBS/TBS for blocking; 0.1–1% for sample and antibody dilution
- Enzyme stabilisation & storage — 0.1–1 mg/mL BSA extends enzyme activity during storage; prevents adsorption to vessel walls
- PCR & molecular biology — 0.1–0.4 mg/mL stabilises Taq, restriction enzymes, and ligases; increases yield with impure or inhibitor-containing templates
- Teaching labs & high-throughput screening — cost-effective for high-consumption applications where tighter endotoxin or FA-free specs are not required
Available Formats
| Format | Size | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Lyophilised Powder | 50 g | Routine research |
| Lyophilised Powder | 100 g | High-throughput labs |
| Lyophilised Powder | 500 g | Large-volume applications |
Bulk orders up to 25 kg and custom formats available on request — contact us for a tailored quote.
Key Benefits
Batch Reservation
Reserve validated lots up to 36 months for reproducible long-term workflows.
Full Documentation
CoA, LAL endotoxin certificate, BSE/TSE statement, Certificate of Origin (AU/NZ/US) — ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certified partner facilities.
EU & Swiss Supply
Sourced from certified EU and Swiss partner facilities — fast delivery across EU, UK and Switzerland, full documentation included.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use Standard Grade BSA instead of Low Endotoxin or Fatty Acid Free BSA?
Standard Grade BSA is the right choice for applications where endotoxin levels below 10 EU/mg are acceptable and fatty acid content is not a variable — Western blot blocking, protein quantification standards (Bradford, BCA, Lowry), ELISA sample diluent, enzyme stabilisation, and PCR. If your application involves cell culture, serum-free media, or immune cell assays, Low Endotoxin BSA (<5 EU/mg) is recommended. For CHO, Vero, or MDCK cell culture and lipid metabolism research, use Fatty Acid Free BSA.
Why is BSA preferred over milk powder for Western blot blocking of phosphoproteins?
Milk powder contains casein, a heavily phosphorylated protein. When used as a blocking agent with anti-phospho antibodies (e.g., anti-pAKT, anti-pERK, anti-pSMAD), casein competes for antibody binding, producing high background and false negatives. BSA, which is not phosphorylated, eliminates this interference. Standard Grade BSA at 5% in TBST is the standard blocking protocol for phosphoprotein Western blots.
What is the correct BSA concentration for Bradford and BCA protein assays?
For Bradford assays, a standard curve of 0–2000 µg/mL BSA in the assay buffer is typical, with the most linear range between 125–1000 µg/mL. For BCA assays, 0–2000 µg/mL with a working range of 20–2000 µg/mL (standard protocol) or 5–250 µg/mL (enhanced protocol). Use the same lot across an experiment series for greatest reproducibility — batch reservation ensures lot-to-lot consistency.
Is Standard Grade BSA suitable for PCR, and at what concentration?
Yes — BSA stabilises thermostable polymerases and other PCR enzymes, and at 0.1–0.4 mg/mL it can overcome inhibition caused by humic acids, melanin, haemoglobin, and other contaminants in impure DNA templates (e.g., environmental samples, crude tissue extracts). SeamlessBio Standard Grade BSA is tested RNase/DNase-free. Note: for sensitive RT-PCR or qPCR with clean templates, BSA is usually not required.
Is batch reservation available, and what is the minimum order quantity?
Yes — batch reservation is available for up to 36 months. Contact our team with your required volume and timeline and we will hold the validated lot for your programme. There is no fixed minimum order quantity; we supply from 50 g upwards. Bulk orders up to 25 kg are available with custom pricing.
Request a Quote or Sample
48h response · EU & Swiss Supply · Batch reservation available · LAL-tested per lot
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