Detection of Endotoxin Concentration Using Piezoelectric Based Biosensor System

Abstract

Endotoxins are ubiquitous in the environment and represent important pathogenic molecules. In this paper, we present a sensitive and reliable method for quantitation and detection of endotoxin based on piezoelectric biosensors, which monitor the gel formation (causing viscosity change) when Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) mixed with endotoxin. The resonance frequency shifts of the sensors in contact with different concentration endotoxin were recorded as a function of time. Results showed that there has good relationship between the logarithmic concentration of endotoxin and the maximum clotting rate as well as the corresponding clotting time. The detection limits could be gone down to 0.1pg/ml and the time-consuming is about 1 hour using this system. By comparison of the traditional methods (rabbit pyrogen test and LAL test) for detection of endotoxin, the proposed sensor is much simpler, more precise and lower detection limits.

Methods and Analysis of Biological Contaminants in the Biomanufacturing Industry

“…LAL is a highly sensitive assay that can identify endotoxins in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and biological products; however, it can only detect endotoxins produced by Gramnegative bacteria [66]. This technique can be used for the detection of endotoxins with a detection limit of 0.01 Endotoxin Unit/mL [70]. Depending on the specific application and the type of microorganisms being targeted, it may be necessary to apply a combination of various methodologies for effective biological contamination recognition.…”

Transducer Technologies for Biosensors and Their Wearable Applications

“…Moreover, piezoelectric genosensors for the detection of DNA or RNA fragments regarding their distinct sequence of bases have been reported [ 177 ]. Important applications of this class of transducers include cell and tissue characterization, healthcare monitoring, pressure sensing, and detection of endotoxins [ 178 , 179 ] cholesterol [ 180 , 181 ], pesticides [ 182 ], and breast cancer [ 183 , 184 ]. Moreover, piezoelectric biosensors show potential for applications in food quality detection, and environmental and clinical analysis [ 185 ].…”

Recent Advances in Application of Biosensors in Tissue Engineering

“…E. coli endotoxin was detected by biosensor using fluorescence technique, where the lower limit of detection was 10 ng/mL and detection time was 30 seconds [ 114 ]. Endotoxin from Salmonella minnesota was identified at 0.1 ng/mL level using an amperometric biosensor [ 115 ] and 0.1 pg/mL level by a piezoelectric biosensor [ 116 ]. The recognition and quantitation of viruses are essential for a broad variety of applications from sanitation and food production to diagnostics and therapeutics [ 117 , 118 ].…”