Abstract
An automated analysis system for evaluating reaction kinetics between Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) and endotoxin has been developed by using a data acquisition program for the Toxinometer. This program collects the time-course data of turbidity change in gel-clotting in the LAL-endotoxin reaction, determines the gelation time, and calculates endotoxin concentration of up to 64 samples simultaneously and independently. Whole time-course data obtained at 12s increments are displayed on a monitor and reported on a printer both graphically and numerically. LAL-endotoxin reaction kinetics depending upon different LAL preparations or inhibitory or enhancing effects of chemicals, were analyzed with this system by observing the reaction time-course data. By selecting variable threshold values for gelation detection of this program, well correlated standard curves of endotoxin concentration were obtained. Furthermore, by introducing parameters related to the reaction to the reaction kinetics, gel formation induced by β-1, 3-glucan could be distinguished from that by endotoxin, which was impossible with the conventional gel-clot method.
