Freund's adjuvant

Freund's adjuvant is a solution of mineral oil and emulsifier, often supplemented with killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. It is named after Jules T. Freund, who developed the substance in 1942. Freund's adjuvant is used in vaccine production to enhance the immune response and increase the effectiveness of the vaccine.

History[edit | edit source]

Freund's adjuvant was developed by Jules T. Freund in 1942. Freund was a Hungarian-born American immunologist who made significant contributions to the field of immunology and vaccine development.

Composition[edit | edit source]

Freund's adjuvant is composed of mineral oil and an emulsifier, often supplemented with killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. The mineral oil component helps to slow the release of the antigen, prolonging the immune response. The emulsifier helps to create a stable emulsion of the oil and water-based components of the vaccine. The addition of killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria helps to further stimulate the immune response.

Use in Vaccine Production[edit | edit source]

Freund's adjuvant is used in vaccine production to enhance the immune response to the antigen. By slowing the release of the antigen and stimulating a stronger immune response, Freund's adjuvant increases the effectiveness of the vaccine.

Safety and Side Effects[edit | edit source]

While Freund's adjuvant is effective at enhancing the immune response, it can also cause side effects. These can include inflammation at the injection site, fever, and lymph node enlargement. Because of these side effects, Freund's adjuvant is not typically used in human vaccines.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Freund's adjuvant Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.