PurMa™ Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium/F-12 MAX (DMEM F12-MAX)

Description

PurMa™ Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium/F-12 MAX (DMEM F12-MAX)

PurMa™ Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium/F-12 MAX (DMEM F12-MAX) is an advanced mammalian cell culture medium engineered for superior performance and stability compared with conventional DMEM/F‑12. Formulated with 4 mM L-alanyl-L-glutamine (0.869 g/L) instead of standard L-glutamine, DMEM F12-MAX delivers extended shelf life, higher buffering capacity, and significantly improved culture consistency.

Standard L-glutamine is prone to degradation in aqueous solutions, producing toxic ammonia and pyrrolidine carboxylic acid, which can impair cell growth and viability. DMEM-MAX with L-alanyl-L-glutamine provides a far more stable dipeptide source that does not readily degrade. It is gradually cleaved by aminopeptidases, releasing L-glutamine and L-alanine in a controlled manner for use in protein synthesis and the TCA cycle. This controlled release minimizes toxic ammonia buildup, sustains optimal nutrient levels, and supports healthier, more robust cultures over extended incubation periods.

PurMa™ DMEM-MAX with L-alanyl-L-glutamine features enhanced pH buffering capacity (via sodium bicarbonate and optional HEPES variants), which helps maintain a stable culture environment and reduces the risk of pH-driven stress or contamination. These properties make DMEM F12-MAX particularly suitable for demanding applications, including primary cell culture and long-term maintenance of sensitive mammalian cell lines.

Special Features

• DMEM-MAX with L-alanyl-L-glutamine has higher pH buffering capacity (multiple NaHCO₃/HEPES formulations available)
• Contains 4 mM L-alanyl-L-glutamine instead of L-glutamine
• Longer shelf life of the prepared medium
• DMEM-MAX with L-alanyl-L-glutamine minimizes toxic ammonia accumulation
• Significantly improves cell viability, density, and growth kinetics
• Enhanced stability across a wide range of temperatures
• Moreover, DMEM-MAX with L-alanyl-L-glutamine optimized performance for primary cells and other sensitive mammalian cell lines

Composition 

PurMa™ Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium/F-12 MAX contains:

• 4 mM L-alanyl-L-glutamine (0.869 g/L)
• High glucose: 4.5 g/L
• Sodium pyruvate: 5 mM
• Non-essential amino acids (NEAA)
• Sodium bicarbonate: 3.7 g/L
• Phenol red indicator
• PurMa Biologics manufactures dmemf12 without phenol red as well

PurMa Biologics manufactures several DMEM F12-MAX formulations with different sodium bicarbonate and HEPES levels to match the desired CO₂ and pH conditions in your incubator.

DMEM-MAX with L-alanyl-L-glutamine contains no proteins, lipids, or growth factors and therefore requires supplementation, typically with 10% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) or a suitable serum-free supplement tailored to your cell type and application.

For users seeking to further stabilize glutamine in other media, PurMa™ also offers PurMa™ GluaSup (Cat# P3S210 559), a concentrated L-alanyl-L-glutamine supplement designed to prevent L-glutamine degradation and associated ammonia toxicity.

Formulation

Complete formulation of DMEM-MAX with L-alanyl-L-glutamine is here: DMEM F-12 MAX Formulation

FAQ

Q1. What is PurMa™ DMEM F12-MAX and how is it different from standard DMEM/F‑12?
A1. PurMa™ DMEM/F-12 L-alanyl-L-glutamine is an optimized Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium/F‑12 formulated with 4 mM L-alanyl-L-glutamine and higher pH buffering capacity. Unlike standard DMEM/F‑12 containing free L-glutamine, DMEM F12-MAX offers extended shelf life, reduced ammonia buildup, and improved cell viability and growth, especially in long-term and primary cell cultures.

Q2. Why does DMEM F12-MAX use L-alanyl-L-glutamine instead of L-glutamine?
A2. Free L-glutamine is unstable in aqueous solutions and degrades to toxic ammonia and pyrrolidine carboxylic acid. DMEM/F-12 L-alanyl-L-glutaminee is a far more stable dipeptide that is slowly hydrolyzed by aminopeptidases, releasing L-glutamine and L-alanine over time. This controlled release maintains adequate glutamine levels, minimizes ammonia accumulation, and supports healthier, more consistent cell growth.

Q3. What are the main advantages of DMEM F12-MAX for mammalian and primary cell culture?
A3. DMEM F12-MAX provides higher pH buffering capacity, longer medium shelf life, reduced ammonia toxicity, and improved cell viability and proliferation. Its stability across a broad temperature range and optimized nutrient profile make it particularly well-suited for sensitive mammalian cell lines and primary cells that require tight environmental control.

Q4. Does DMEM F12-MAX contain serum, proteins, or growth factors?
A4. No. DMEM/F-12 L-alanyl-L-glutamine does not contain serum, proteins, lipids, or growth factors. It must be supplemented prior to use, most commonly with 10% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) or an appropriate serum-free supplement, depending on the cell type and application.

Q5. In what formulations is PurMa™ DMEM F12-MAX available?
A5. PurMa™ DMEMF12 with l alanyl lglutamine is available in multiple formulations that differ in sodium bicarbonate concentration and the presence or level of HEPES. These variants allow users to match the medium’s buffering capacity to their incubator’s CO₂ settings and desired pH range. Refer to the DMEM F-12 MAX Formulation documentation or product datasheet for specific compositions.

Q6. Can I enhance the stability of glutamine in other media using PurMa™ supplements?
A6. Yes. In addition to DMEM F12-MAX, PurMa Biologics offers PurMa™ GluaSup (Cat# P3S210 559), a concentrated L-alanyl-L-glutamine supplement. GluaSup can be added to other media to replace unstable free L-glutamine, helping to prevent glutamine degradation, reduce ammonia buildup, and improve overall culture performance.

References:

1.  Clonal growth of mammalian cells in a chemically defined, synthetic medium . DULBECCO R, FREEMAN G. 1959 Jul;8(3):396-7. doi: 10.1016/0042-6822(59)90043-1. PMID: 13669362.
2. Plaque production by the polyoma virus. DULBECCO R, FREEMAN G. 1959 Jul;8(3):396-7. doi: 10.1016/0042-6822(59)90043-1. PMID: 13669362.
3. The nucleic acid of polyoma virus. Smith, J.D., Freeman, G., Vogt, M., et al., (1960) The nucleic acid of polyoma virus. Virology 12:18

Learn more: What Is DMEM/F-12?