Leibovitz L-15 is designed for use in CO2free atmosphere in unsealed containers; hence, no sodium bicarbonate supplement is required. The medium is buffered by the higher amino acid content, in particular L-arginine is useful in growing established cell lines (e.g. Hep-2) in non CO2 equilibrated environments.
L-15 Leibovitz medium supports besides Hep-2 the growth of a large number of established cell lines and the growth of primary human tissue explants and the nerve cells. On the supplementation with 10% tryptose-phosphate-broth it is particularly apt for the cultivation of insect cell lines.
Different from the original formulation, only 0.05 mg/l riboflavin are used due to risk of photo oxidative effects.