Principles On Which The Limulus Test For The Detection Of Bacterial Endotoxins Is Based

The LAL or Limulus test is used for the determination of bacterial endotoxins in a wide variety of samples in both research laboratories and industries. The principle of this test is based on the process of coagulation which occurs in the hemolymph of horseshoe crab (Limulus Polyphemus) in the presence of lipopolysaccharides. In this article, the biological process and the way it was used to develop the test is described.