FluxMPS™ MCDB 201 Medium: 1X Liquid
FluxMPS™ MCDB 201 Medium: 1X Liquid
FluxMPS™ DCP-M201H1X is a Microfluidics Suitable, quadruple-stage ultra-filtered MCDB 201 + HEPES formulation engineered for serum-free or low-protein culture of chick embryo fibroblasts and related primary cell models on organ-on-a-chip (OoC) and microphysiological system (MPS) platforms. A quadruple-stage train (0.1 µm ×2 + 0.04 µm ×2) reaches a 0.04 µm final cut-off, five times finer than the 0.22 µm membranes used for conventional sterile filtration. Formulation: [+] 1.441 g/L Glucose, [+] L-Glutamine, [+] Sodium Pyruvate, [+] Sodium Bicarbonate, [+] 30 mM HEPES, [+] Trace Elements.
- Trace element formulation — zinc, copper, selenium, manganese for metalloenzyme support and antioxidant activity in serum-free culture
- Optimized for: Chick Embryo Fibroblasts, Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), Primary Fibroblasts
- 30 mM HEPES (pKa 7.3 at 37°C) — pH-stable buffering for open-top chips and atmospheric platforms
- 0.04 µm final nano-filtration — trace elements delivered as dissolved ions, not particulate aggregates
- Quadruple-stage filtration: 0.1 µm Prefiltration I → 0.04 µm Final filtration I → 0.1 µm Prefiltration II → 0.04 µm Final filtration II — Polish
- Endotoxin < 0.05 EU/mL (LAL, USP <85>) — batch-release specification
- Ultrapure Type 1 water (18.2 MΩ·cm), ISO 13485:2016 QMS, ISO Class 5 aseptic fill
- Cell typesChick Embryo Fibroblasts, MSCs, Primary Fibroblasts
- Glucose1441 mg/L (1.441 g/L)
- HEPES30 mM, pKa 7.3 at 37°C
- Trace ElementsPresent
- AppearanceRed colored, clear solution
- pH (USP <791>)7.4
- Osmolality (USP <785>)Contact for specification
- Endotoxin (USP <85>)< 0.05 EU/mL
- Filtration0.1 µm ×2 + 0.04 µm ×2
- Shelf Life12 months from date of manufacture, unopened
Engineered where standard media fails
MCDB media formulated with trace element salts can form subvisible particulate aggregates when filtered at 0.22 µm under typical manufacturing conditions. These aggregates clog microfluidic channels, disrupt trace metal bioavailability, and confound primary cell phenotype. FluxMPS™ is built with four-stage sub-0.04 µm filtration and a < 0.05 EU/mL endotoxin release specification.
Particle-free trace element delivery
0.04 µm filtration ensures trace metal salts are fully dissolved — minimizing aggregate deposition in chip channels or culture vessels where trace metal precipitation could alter bioavailability.
Serum-free primary cell support
Trace element composition supports metalloenzyme activity (SOD, GPx, carbonic anhydrase) relevant to primary cell survival and function without serum supplementation.
Ultrapure-grade water
Ultrapure Type 1 water (18.2 MΩ·cm) limits ionic and trace-metal background that could compete with zinc, copper, and selenium uptake in low-serum primary cell culture.
Below TLR4 endotoxin threshold
< 0.05 EU/mL endotoxin release specification — below the reported TLR4 activation threshold — reduces the risk of LPS-driven inflammatory signaling that can confound primary cell phenotype in serum-free conditions.
HEPES-stabilized pH
HEPES (30 mM, pKa 7.3 at 37°C) supports stable pH for sensitive primary cell culture alongside bicarbonate buffering.
Customization on demand
pH, glucose, trace element concentrations, HEPES, and growth factor co-formulations available. Contact support@diagnocine.com.
Quadruple-stage filtration system
Four serial filtration stages reaching a final 0.04 µm polish — two dedicated prefilter-plus-final-filter pairs run in series, delivering sub-mycoplasma-scale particulate control and particle-free trace element delivery beyond what conventional 0.22 µm filtered MCDB media can offer.
-
1
0.1 µm Prefiltration I
Removes large aggregates including trace metal salt precipitates. 0.1 µm pore size is mycoplasma-retentive and protects the downstream 0.04 µm cartridge and chip geometries from fouling.
-
2
0.04 µm Final filtration I
First 0.04 µm pass; retains sub-micron particulates and trace-metal microaggregates that pass a standard 0.22 µm filter.
-
3
0.1 µm Prefiltration II
Second dedicated 0.1 µm prefilter, protecting the second 0.04 µm cartridge and providing redundant mycoplasma-retentive filtration.
-
4
0.04 µm Final filtration II — Polish
Ultimate polishing filter delivering the final 0.04 µm cut-off; aseptic fill & finish.
Performance vs. conventional MCDB media
© Diagnocine® — DCP-M201H1X
Specialized cell models & OoC applications
FluxMPS™ DCP-M201H1X was formulated specifically for Chick Embryo Fibroblasts, Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), Primary Fibroblasts in low-protein or serum-free conditions. The 0.04 µm filtered trace element matrix supports use in microfluidic chip architectures where conventional MCDB media risks trace metal particulate fouling.
Automated Bioreactors & Robotics
An optional MPS Grade 0.01 µm (10 nm) ultra nano-filtered variant is available for automated bioreactor perfusion, where trace metal salt nanoparticulates in standard MCDB media can cause valve fouling.
- Trace Metal Nanoparticulate Removal: 0.01 µm filtration removes sub-0.04 µm metal salt colloids not captured by standard QC
- Valve & Sensor Protection: Reduces micro-fouling risk from trace element aggregates in automated systems
- Extended Perfusion Stability: Consistent trace element delivery over weeks-long primary cell culture
Inquiry Required: Contact support@diagnocine.com for the MPS Grade 0.01 µm variant.
Organ-on-a-Chip & MPS
0.04 µm filtration reduces microchannel clogging risk. Trace elements delivered dissolved and particle-free.
Fibroblast-on-Chip
FluxMPS™ MCDB 201 + HEPES supports sub-mycoplasma-scale purity and trace element fidelity for fibroblast-on-chip models in serum-free or low-protein conditions.
MSC Culture OoC
Supports mesenchymal stem cell niche models with trace element fidelity in serum-free or low-protein conditions.
Connective Tissue Models
Formulated for connective tissue and stromal cell OoC models requiring trace element support and low particulate load.
Stromal Cell Culture
Supports stromal cell culture models with particle-free trace element delivery in serum-free or low-protein conditions.
Primary Fibroblast Expansion
MCDB 201 + HEPES with 4× trace element enrichment supports clonal growth and expansion of primary fibroblast populations.
Analytical release specifications
Every lot released against the full specification matrix. CoA: support@diagnocine.com.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Formulation | [+] 1.441 g/L Glucose, [+] L-Glutamine, [+] Sodium Pyruvate, [+] Sodium Bicarbonate, [+] 30mM HEPES, [+] Trace Elements |
| Appearance | Red colored, clear solution |
| Glucose | 1441 mg/L (1.441 g/L) |
| HEPES | 30 mM (pKa 7.3 at 37°C) |
| Trace Elements | Present |
| pH USP <791> | 7.4 |
| Osmolality USP <785> | Contact for specification |
| Total ingredients | 54 (across 3 category tabs: Inorganic Salts, Amino Acids, Vitamins & Others) |
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Endotoxin USP <85> BET | < 0.05 EU/mL |
| Sterility USP <71> | No growth / 14 days |
| Mycoplasma | 0.1/0.04 µm mycoplasma-retentive filtration (not tested per lot) |
| Particulate ≥10 µm USP <788> Method 1 | NMT 25/mL |
| Particulate ≥25 µm USP <788> Method 1 | NMT 3/mL |
| Water purity | Type 1, 18.2 MΩ·cm |
| Manufacturing std. | ISO 13485:2016 |
| Fill environment | ISO Class 5 (Class 100) |
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Storage temperature | 2–8°C, away from light |
| Freeze-thaw | Do not freeze |
| Shelf life | 12 months from date of manufacture, unopened |
| Shipping condition | Cold pack |
| CO₂ requirement | 5% CO₂ recommended (bicarbonate + HEPES dual buffering; HEPES alone maintains pH without CO₂) |
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Raw material grade | Reagent / cell culture grade |
| Traceability | Full lot traceability per ISO 13485 |
| Manufacturing QMS ISO | ISO 13485:2016 certified |
| UNSPSC | 41116155 — Molecular biology and cell culture growth media (UNv260801) |
| Regulatory alignment | 21 CFR Part 820 (QMSR) aligned |
| Production method | Micro-batch, per-lot QC release |
| Intended use | Research Use Only (RUO) |
Full composition (mg/L)
MCDB 201 + HEPES: 54 ingredients verified per lot with CAS numbers for full raw-material traceability. Contains trace elements for metalloenzyme support and antioxidant activity. HEPES (30 mM ≈ 7149 mg/L) is listed under OTHERS.
| Component | CAS Number | mg/L |
|---|---|---|
| INORGANIC SALTS | ||
| Ammonium metavanadate | 7803-55-6 | 0.000006 |
| Calcium chloride dihydrate | 10035-04-8 | 294.000 |
| Cupric sulfate pentahydrate | 7758-99-8 | 0.00025 |
| Disodium hydrogen phosphate anhydrous | 7558-79-4 | 70.990 |
| Ferrous sulfate heptahydrate | 7782-63-0 | 1.668 |
| Magnesium sulfate anhydrous | 7487-88-9 | 180.570 |
| Manganese sulfate | 7785-87-7 | 0.000075 |
| Molybdic acid ammonium tetrahydrate | 12054-85-2 | 0.000618 |
| Nickel chloride hexahydrate | 7791-20-0 | 0.0000012 |
| Potassium chloride | 7447-40-7 | 223.650 |
| Sodium bicarbonate | 144-55-8 | 1500.000 |
| Sodium chloride | 7647-14-5 | 7597.000 |
| Sodium metasilicate nonahydrate | 13517-24-3 | 0.142 |
| Sodium selenite | 10102-18-8 | 0.000865 |
| Zinc sulfate heptahydrate | 7446-20-0 | 0.028744 |
| Component | CAS Number | mg/L |
|---|---|---|
| AMINO ACIDS | ||
| Glycine | 56-40-6 | 7.510 |
| L-Alanine | 56-41-7 | 8.910 |
| L-Arginine hydrochloride | 1119-34-2 | 63.200 |
| L-Asparagine monohydrate | 5794-13-8 | 150.000 |
| L-Aspartic acid | 56-84-8 | 13.310 |
| L-Cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate | 7048-04-6 | 35.130 |
| L-Glutamic acid | 56-86-0 | 14.710 |
| L-Glutamine | 56-85-9 | 146.150 |
| L-Histidine hydrochloride monohydrate | 5934-29-2 | 20.970 |
| L-Isoleucine | 73-32-5 | 13.120 |
| L-Leucine | 61-90-5 | 39.350 |
| L-Lysine hydrochloride | 657-27-2 | 36.540 |
| L-Methionine | 63-68-3 | 4.480 |
| L-Phenylalanine | 63-91-2 | 4.960 |
| L-Proline | 147-85-3 | 5.760 |
| L-Serine | 56-45-1 | 31.530 |
| L-Threonine | 72-19-5 | 35.750 |
| L-Tryptophan | 73-22-3 | 6.130 |
| L-Tyrosine disodium salt dihydrate | 69847-15-0 | 11.350 |
| L-Valine | 72-18-4 | 35.130 |
| Component | CAS Number | mg/L |
|---|---|---|
| VITAMINS | ||
| Choline chloride | 67-48-1 | 13.960 |
| D-Biotin | 58-85-5 | 0.00733 |
| D-Ca-Pantothenate | 137-08-6 | 0.477 |
| Folinic acid (Calcium) | 1492-18-8 | 0.00512 |
| Niacinamide | 98-92-0 | 6.110 |
| Pyridoxine hydrochloride | 58-56-0 | 0.0617 |
| Riboflavin | 83-88-5 | 0.113 |
| Thiamine hydrochloride | 67-03-8 | 0.337 |
| Vitamin B12 | 68-19-9 | 0.136 |
| OTHERS | ||
| myo-Inositol | 87-89-8 | 0.136 |
| Adenine hydrochloride | 2922-28-3 | 1.720 |
| D-Glucose | 50-99-7 | 1441.000 |
| HEPES | 7365-45-9 | 7149.000 |
| Linoleic acid | 60-33-3 | 0.0841 |
| Phenol red sodium salt | 34487-61-1 | 1.242 |
| Putrescine dihydrochloride | 333-93-7 | 0.00161 |
| Sodium pyruvate | 113-24-6 | 55.000 |
| Thioctic acid | 1077-28-7 | 0.00206 |
| Thymidine | 50-89-5 | 0.0727 |
Manufacturing & compliance
Every FluxMPS™ product is manufactured and released under a rigorous multi-layer quality system, with particular attention to trace element dissolution and particulate removal during MCDB formulation.
ISO 13485:2016 Quality Management
Manufactured under an ISO 13485:2016-certified quality management system. Final QA at the Diagnocine R&D Center, Totowa, NJ, USA.
Ultrapure Type 1 Water
18.2 MΩ·cm — used for trace element MCDB formulations where ionic contaminants can compete with zinc, copper, and selenium uptake.
ISO Class 5 Fill & Finish
Aseptic fill in validated ISO Class 5 (Class 100) laminar-flow workstations.
Micro-Batch Precision
Small-batch production, per-lot traceability, Certificate of Analysis for every batch — trace element concentrations verified against specification.
Endotoxin — USP <85> BET
LAL assay; release specification < 0.05 EU/mL — below the TLR4 activation threshold reported for primary cell cultures.
Particulate — USP <788> Method 1
Light obscuration: NMT 25/mL (≥10 µm), NMT 3/mL (≥25 µm).
Osmolality — USP <785>
Target: Contact for specification.
Documentation & CoA
Full CoA with raw-material traceability available for every batch on request.
- Endotoxin — LAL assay, USP <85> Bacterial Endotoxins Test; assay sensitivity 0.005 EU/mL; release specification < 0.05 EU/mL
- pH, osmolality, conductivity, appearance and clarity
- Sterility
How DCP-M201H1X compares
FluxMPS™ DCP-M201H1X vs. conventional 0.22 µm–filtered MCDB 201 + HEPES formulations.
| Parameter | DCP-M201H1X (FluxMPS™) | Conventional MCDB 201 + HEPES (0.22 µm filtered) |
Standard Alt. MCDB (0.22 µm filtered) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade | Microfluidics Suitable | Not specified | Not specified |
| MCDB 201 with 30mM HEPES and Trace Elements — optimized for fibroblast, MSC, and connective tissue OoC | check_circle Yes | cancel No | cancel No |
| Trace element delivery | Particle-free (0.04 µm) | May contain aggregates | May contain aggregates |
| Final filtration pore size | 0.04 µm | 0.22 µm | 0.22 µm |
| Number of filtration stages | 4 (Quadruple) | 1 | 1 |
| Mycoplasma-retentive filtration | check_circle Yes (0.1/0.04 µm) | cancel No | cancel No |
| Endotoxin (release specification) | FluxMPS™ — < 0.05 EU/mL | Corning classical liquid media — < 0.25 EU/mL Sigma-Aldrich DMEM complete medium — ≤ 2 EU/mL Gibco classical DMEM — Not specified (recorded per lot) |
|
| USP <788> particulate tested (Method 1) | check_circle Yes | cancel No | cancel No |
| Water quality | Type 1, 18.2 MΩ·cm | Purified water | Purified water |
| Manufacturing QMS | ISO 13485:2016 | ISO 9001 or none | ISO 9001 or none |
| Microfluidic channel compatibility | check_circle Yes (Microfluidics Suitable) | cancel Risk of clogging | cancel Risk of clogging |
| Custom formulation | check_circle Available | cancel Fixed | cancel Fixed |
Comparison figures from published supplier specifications, accessed 2026-09-02. Suppliers that publish no numeric endotoxin specification are shown as "Not specified".
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about FluxMPS™ DCP-M201H1X MCDB 201 + HEPES.
Supporting literature
Key publications supporting MCDB 201 + HEPES for chick embryo fibroblast culture and organ-on-a-chip applications.
- Ham RG, McKeehan WL. Media and growth requirements. Methods Enzymol. 1979;58:44–93. doi:10.1016/S0076-6879(79)58127-6
- Bhatia SN, Ingber DE. Microfluidic organs-on-chips. Nat Biotechnol. 2014;32:760–772. doi:10.1038/nbt.2989
- Huh D, et al. Reconstituting organ-level lung functions on a chip. Science. 2010;328:1662–1668. doi:10.1126/science.1188302
- Novak R, et al. Robotic fluidic coupling and interrogation of multiple vascularized organ chips. Nat Biomed Eng. 2020;4:407–420. doi:10.1038/s41551-019-0497-x
- Campisi M, et al. 3D self-organized microvascular model of the human blood-brain barrier. Biomaterials. 2018;180:117–129. doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.07.014
- Jang KJ, et al. Human kidney proximal tubule-on-a-chip for drug transport and nephrotoxicity assessment. Integr Biol. 2013;5:1119–1129. doi:10.1039/c3ib40049b
- Schimek K, et al. Integrating biological vasculature into a multi-organ-chip microsystem. Lab Chip. 2013;13:3588–3598. doi:10.1039/c3lc50217a
- Luni C, et al. High-efficiency cellular reprogramming with microfluidics. Nat Methods. 2016;13:446–452. doi:10.1038/nmeth.3832
- Sung JH, et al. Microfabricated mammalian organ systems and their integration into models of whole animals and humans. Lab Chip. 2013;13:1201–1212. doi:10.1039/c3lc41017j
