Serum-free non-toxic freezing solution for cryopreservation of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Objective: To develop a cost-effective, non-toxic and xeno-free freezing solution for the preservation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hADSC) with a long shelf-life.

Results: The potential of various hydrocolloids and organic osmolytes as cryoprotectants and individual components of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) as carrier media were evaluated to formulate a freezing solution for the cryopreservation of hADSCs. Among the hydrocolloids, the highest viability, 55 %, was achieved with post-thawed (after 48 h storage at -80 °C) hADSCs cryopreserved in 10 % (v/v) polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) using PBS as carrier media.