Is Limulus Amebocyte Lysate Test?

The LAL (limulus amebocyte lysate) testing, also known as bacterial endotoxin testing, is an in vitro assay used to detect the presence and concentration of bacterial endotoxins in drugs and biological products, and is an important part of pharmaceutical microbiology.

What is the purpose of the Limulus amebocyte test?

The limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) test is a simple method for the detection of viable and non-viable Gram-negative bacteria. Certain cell-wall lipopolysaccharides (i.e. endotoxins) of this bacterial group lead to gelation of blood cell (amoebocytes) lysates of the Limulus polyphemus crab.

What does the term Limulus in the LAL test signify?

Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) is an aqueous extract of blood cells (amoebocytes) from the Atlantic horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus. ... This reaction is the basis of the LAL test, which is widely used for the detection and quantification of bacterial endotoxins.