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RPMI is used for suspension cell lines. it provides all the essential amino acids, vitamins and other nutrients and mot important glucose. Different mediums have different glucose and other growth factors concentration so have different pH. amino acids provide cells to produce protein so then only cells could produce enzyme, replicate etc etc functions. Vitamins serves as cofactors and coenzymes for many enzymes to function.
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∙ 13y ago
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Why is rpmi 1640 red in color?
RPMI (Roswell Park Memorial institute) formula is red in color because a pH indicator, phenol red, is usually added to it. When living animal cells are grown in RPMI formula, they release metabolic waste products that change the pH toward acid (sort of like peeing in a swimming pool). As the acid wastes build up, the color fades from red to pink, and can even turn straw yellow with a lot of waste product contamination. The phenol red color changes indicate when the medium needs to be changed, which can differ according to the needs of the project. Maybe at the pink pH stage, or at the yellow pH stage, for example. This avoids having to keep testing the contents of the test tube or flask to determine how the pH is changing. Too much acid, and the cells will do poorly, or even die. The 'old' medium is decanted and fresh medium is poured in, if the cells need to keep growing in the same test tube or flask.
Why does filtered RPMI culture medium still contaminated after 4 days although the container is not opened?
Check your aseptic technique, thoroughly ethanol the outside of the bottle, especially the cap and neck. Verify the receiving container is sterile or autoclaved. Do not reuse filters. Otherwise, using a 0.22nm filter should eliminate any contamination.
