Question

What is the purpose of the LAL assay and which type of toxin does it involve?

How has it been a benefit to humans?

What animal is involved?

Answer 1

Ans. The Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) test is an aqueous extract of Limulus polyphemus (Atlantic horseshoe crab) blood cells (amoebocytes) . Its purpose it to quantify and detect the bacterial endotoxins. Bacterial endotoxins is a toxic component that is released when the cell is lyses. These endotoxins are harmful for human if administered to them, thus this LAL test ensures that sterile pharmaceutical products are safe for human use. LAL reacts with the bacterial  endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is membranal component of gram-negative bacterias. The animal involved is Limulus polyphemus (Atlantic horseshoe crab).

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