Electrochemical investigation of endotoxin induced limulus amebocyte lysate gel-clot process

Endotoxin can interact with specific receptors on immune cells, leading to inflammatory responses. Thus, it should be strictly controlled in medical devices and pharmaceuticals. The standard endotoxin assay is based on limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL). Herein, we have successfully characterized the electrochemical behavior of endotoxin induced limulus amebocyte lysate gel-clot process for the first time. Screen-printed electrodes with high stability, convenient operation, low cost are produced for the electrochemical investigation. The electrochemical signals of gel-clot process are then applied to endotoxin assay. Compared with other assays, our proposed electrochemical method has faster responses and is more sensitive, anti-jamming and cost-effective, which might have potential use in the clinical applications in the future. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.