Leibovitz's L-15 Medium With L-Glutamine Without Phenol red and Sodium bicarbonate is supplied by HiMedia. It is available in the form of an off-white to creamish white homogenous powder which has a pH in the range of 7.7 to 8.3 and an osmolality of 300.00- 340.00 Osm/Kg H20. It is advisable to store this product between 2-8C. Media composition (in mg/L) is as follows:

Calcium chloride dihydrate (185.00)

Magnesium chloride hexahydrate (200.00)

Magnesium sulphate anhydrous (97.72)

Potassium chloride (400.00)

Potassium phosphate, monobasic (60.00)

Sodium chloride (8000.00)

Sodium phosphate, dibasic anhydrous (190.12)

Amino acids

Choline chloride (1.00)

D-Ca-Pantothenate (1.00)

Folic acid (1.00)

Nicotinamide (1.00)

Pyridoxine hydrochloride (1.00)

Riboflavin-5-phosphate, Na (0.10)

Thiamine monophosphate (1.00)

i-Inositol (2.00)

D-Galactose (900.00)

Sodium pyruvate (550.00)

Leibovitz's Medium was specifically designed to grow cells in a CO2 free atmosphere. The standard sodium bicarbonate/CO2 buffering system is replaced by combination of free basic amino acids, phosphate buffers and higher levels of galactose and sodium pyruvate. As a result, the medium does not require supplementation with sodium bicarbonate and can be used under conditions of free gaseous exchange with the atmosphere. The medium can be used to grow human tumor cells and embryonic cells and also established cell lines like HeLa and Hep-2. The medium is frequently used in diagnostic virology where tissue cell lines or strains need to be grown in closed systems. This medium obviates the need of frequent medium change. This product contains L-glutamine but does not contain phenol red. It is advisable to review the literature for recommendations regarding medium supplementation and physiological growth requirements specific for different cell lines.