Abstract
Here, we report the development of an electrochemical detection method for endotoxin based on the Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay. A mixture of LAL reagent and endotoxin sample solution was incubated for 1 h. The endotoxin activated a cascade reaction of zymogens contained in the LAL to generate p-nitroaniline (pNA) which was then electrochemically detected by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The generated pNA gave a clear peak at -0.75 V vs. silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl), which increased with the concentration of endotoxin in the LAL assay solution. This DPV detection was performed using an electrode chip device fabricated from a diamond-like carbon-coated glass substrate. This chip device could detect as low as 10 endotoxin units l -1 at room temperature within 1 h. This novel electrochemical method for the detection of endotoxin appears promising for the development of compact, low-cost and easy-to-use sensors for on-site monitoring of potentially contaminated medical supplies, including dialysis fluid, transplanted tissue and culture medium for assisted reproduction.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 343-349 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Innate Immunity |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2012 Apr |
Keywords
- Biosensor
- carbon electrode
- endotoxin assay
- lipopolysaccharide
- voltammetry
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Infectious Diseases