Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to the use of esters of unsaturated, physiologically active fatty acids as nutrient media for cell cultivation and, more particularly, as a substitute for foetal bovine serum. In one aspect, the esters comprise more than 50 mol-% of physiologically active fatty acids containing 16 to 24 carbon atoms and 2 to 5 double bonds as the acid component and a lower C1-4 alcohol, preferably ethanol, or a sterol as ester component. In another aspect, the esters comprise a transesterification product of natural or synthetic oils or a mixture of such oils having greater than 50 mol-% of unsaturated, physiologically active fatty acids, based on the acyl group, and a lower C1-4 alcohol or a sterol. In a further aspect, the esters are used together with sterols, phospholipids and/or vegetable proteins or are liposomally encapsulated.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for the production of glycerol of providing a vegetable oil or fat as starting material, obtaining crude glycerol from the vegetable oil or fat, and treating the crude glycerol with a reducing agent. The present invention also describes a process for the production of a medicament or pharmaceutical composition, the medicament or composition formed by combining glycerol and at least one pharmaceutically active ingredient. The present invention also describes a pharmaceutical composition or medicament composed of glycerol obtained by way of the invention and a pharmaceutically active ingredient, which compositions forms very little glyceraldehyde and dihydroxyacetone during storage.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to the use of esters of unsaturated, physiologically active fatty acids as nutrient media for cell cultivation and, more particularly, as a substitute for foetal bovine serum. In one aspect, the esters comprise more than 50 mol-% of physiologically active fatty acids containing 16 to 24 carbon atoms and 2 to 5 double bonds as the acid component and a lower C1-4 alcohol, preferably ethanol, or a sterol as ester component. In another aspect, the esters comprise a transesterification product of natural or synthetic oils or a mixture of such oils having greater than 50 mol-% of unsaturated, physiologically active fatty acids, based on the acyl group, and a lower C1-4 alcohol or a sterol. In a further aspect, the esters are used together with sterols, phospholipids and/or vegetable proteins or are liposomally encapsulated.