LAL (Limulus amebocyte lysate)

A reagent made from the blood cells of the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, that reacts with bacterial endotoxin through an enzyme cascade. Depending on the formulation, the reaction produces a gel, turbidity or colour. LAL is the basis of most bacterial endotoxin test methods described in USP <85> and Ph. Eur. 2.6.14. Each lysate lot has a stated sensitivity, which the lab confirms before use.