Currently Available Recombinant Alternatives to Horseshoe Crab Blood Lysates: Are They Comparable for the Detection of Environmental Bacterial Endotoxins? A Review

Endotoxin testing by recombinant factor C (rFC) is increasing with the addition of new suppliers of reagents. By use of a recombinantly produced factor C , based on the sequence of a coagulation enzyme present in horseshoe crab amebocyte lysates, the rFC tests are designed as substitutes for the traditional Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL)/Tachypleus amebocyte lysate tests based on horseshoe crab blood. Comparative testing of samples with both the LAL and recombinant reagents has shown a high degree of correlation, suggesting that use of rFC is comparable to the more traditional LAL tests and may be technologically superior. Recombinant factor C does not recognize the factor G pathway, the alternate coagulation pathway that the lysate reagents detect. This feature allows rFC to detect endotoxin more selectively. As a recombinantly produced material, it avoids the use of the horseshoe crabs required for lysate production, thereby protecting this species, which is at risk in some parts of the world. Recombinant factor C is expected to further benefit from a more sustainable supply chain based upon a robust biotechnological production process. We summarize here the results of many studies that evaluated the use of recombinant technology for the detection of environmental endotoxin. Additionally, we include a review of the current compendia and regulatory status of the recombinant technologies for use in the quality control of pharmaceutical manufacturing. Our analysis confirms that the recombinant technologies are comparable in protecting patient safety.

Recent advances in biosensor based endotoxin detection

Endotoxins also referred to as pyrogens are chemically lipopolysaccharides habitually found in food, environment and clinical products of bacterial origin and are unavoidable ubiquitous microbiological contaminants. Pernicious issues of its contamination result in high mortality and severe morbidities. Standard traditional techniques are slow and cumbersome, highlighting the pressing need for evoking agile endotoxin detection system. The early and prompt detection of endotoxin assumes prime importance in health care, pharmacological and biomedical sectors. The unparalleled recognition abilities of LAL biosensors perched with remarkable sensitivity, high stability and reproducibility have bestowed it with persistent reliability and their possible fabrication for commercial applicability. This review paper entails an overview of various trends in current techniques available and other possible alternatives in biosensor based endotoxin detection together with its classification, epidemiological aspects, thrust areas demanding endotoxin control, commercially available detection sensors and a revolutionary unprecedented approach narrating the influence of omics for endotoxin detection.