NEBuffer™ System: Same high performance, now with Recombinant Albumin (rAlbumin)
Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) is commonly used to stabilize some proteins during reactions and can also prevent adhesion to reaction tubes and pipette surfaces. We understand that there is an increased need for comparable performance using BSA-free reagents and are excited to announce that NEB has started switching our current BSA-containing reaction buffers (NEBuffer 1.1, 2.1, 3.1 and CutSmart Buffer) to Recombinant Albumin-containing buffers (NEBuffer r1.1, r2.1, r3.1 and rCutSmart Buffer).
Key points to remember
- Use of rAlbumin in reaction buffers enables them to be used in situations where BSA-free reagents are required.
- There is no difference in enzyme performance when using buffers containing BSA and buffers containing rAlbumin.
- If you have a buffer containing rAlbumin, we recommend using it, but you can also continue to use buffers containing BSA if “animal-free” sources are not a requirement.
- NEB offers the NEBuffer Set (r1.1, r2.1, r3.1 & rCutSmart Buffer) and rCutSmart Buffer if you wish to purchase these buffers separately.

In a second step, also the enzyme storage buffers will be switched to contain recombinant albumin. Some of our restriction enzymes are already sold as “completely BSA-free” as standard catalog items since the beginning of November 2021. The product information for the affected products has already been updated and can be found in the lot-specific certificates of analysis which can be retrieved from the product website. (www.neb.com/catalognumber).
More information on this topic can be found here.
We feel that moving away from animal-containing products is a step in the right direction and are able to offer this enhancement at the same price.
What does this mean for you?
During this transition period, you may receive product with BSA or rAlbumin-containing buffers. NEB has rigorously tested both and has not seen a difference in enzyme performance when using either buffer. Either buffer can be used with your enzyme. All website content will be switched in April to reflect the changes, although you may not receive the new buffer with your product immediately.
Do you have any questions?
Please contact us at techsupport.fr@neb.com
FAQ
NEB has rigorously tested the performance between BSA- and rAlbumin-containing buffers (NEB #B9200). We have not seen a difference in enzyme performance when using either buffer. Rest assured, you can continue to use either version for your experiments.

ClaI (NEB #R0197) restriction endonuclease was formulated with BSA or Recombinant Albumin (rAlbumin). Each of these formulations was tested using either A. CutSmart (contains BSA) or B. rCutSmart (contains rAlbumin) Buffer. Serial dilutions of ClaI were tested using Lambda DNA and the recommended assay conditions, followed by analysis using agarose gel electrophoresis. M is marker 1 kb Plus DNA Ladder (NEB #N3200). ClaI activity is the same in all formulation conditions tested. These representative data demonstrate equal performance between BSA and rAlbumin when used in both enzyme formulation and reaction buffer.
NEB has rigorously tested the performance between BSA- and rAlbumin-containing buffers (NEB #B9200). We have not seen a difference in enzyme performance when using either buffer. Rest assured, you can continue to use either version for your experiments.
Currently, we are switching the NEBuffer, i.e., the reaction buffers, to rAlbumin.
However, we have also already started to switch the enzyme formulations, i.e., the storage buffer of the restriction enzymes to rAlbumin. This change will take some time and we anticipate that it will be completed by mid-2022. You can identify enzymes that are already shipped in BSA-free formulations by the corresponding information in the product documentation that accompanies the enzyme and on the respective product website in the section “Change Notification”.
We already offer many enzymes in a BSA-free formulation as a special order. Our Customized Solutions Team is happy to assist you with your request.
Further information can be found in our Technical Resources section or at neb.com