Fatty Acid-Albumin-complexes have been employed as alternative sources of lipids in the development of serum-free media. Fatty acids bind to serum proteins in high proportions. Such proteins may release beneficial fatty acids and bind those that are inhibitory. Oleic acid bound to bovine serum albumin (BSA) is beneficial to the growth of a variety of cell types (e.g., baby hamster kidney (BHK) hybridoma). A mixture of poly-unsaturated and monosaturated fatty acids (i.e., linoleic acid and oleic acid) produces synergistic effect when used as a media supplement.