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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1973 July; 26(1): 43-48
Copyright © 1973 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Preparation, Sensitivity, and Specificity of Limulus Lysate for Endotoxin Assay

Division of Microbiology, Shriners Burns Institute, Galveston, Texas 77550
Department of Microbiology, the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77550

ABSTRACT

Limulus amoebocyte lysate was prepared from a total of 180 crabs during 1971 and 1972 by using a slightly modified lysate preparation procedure. Marked variability of lysate potency was noted both years. In addition, lysate quality appeared diminished in 1972 as compared with 1971. Different lysate batches were evaluated for potency by using a variety of endotoxin preparations. Variations in batch potencies were observed, but little variation in reactivity among different endotoxin preparations was noted. Use of potent lysate batches allowed detection of endotoxin concentrations as low as 100 pg/ml. No endotoxinlike activity was observed from 11 different strains of yeast by use of the Limulus assay.