Krutik Bhuva Thesis 2156003008 New
Krutik Bhuva Thesis 2156003008 New
Krutik Bhuva Thesis 2156003008 New
An INTERNSHIP REPORT
SUBMITTED BY
Bhuva Trutik R.
Enrollment No: 2156003008
MASTER OF SCIENCE
IN
BIOTECHNOLOGY
JANUARY 2023
CERTIFICATE
This is to certified that the work presented in the project report entitled “THE
IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST
IN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY, SAFAL LIFE SCIENCE Pvt. Ltd’’
submitted by Bhuva Trutik R. Enrollment No: - 2156003008 of Biotechnology
department of the Swarrnim Startup & Innovation University comprises the work carried
out under my supervision for the partial fulfilment of the award of the degree of M.Sc.
Biotechnology of the Swarrnim Startup & Innovation University.
Date: - / /2023
LIST OF ABBREVIATION
LPS: Lipopolysaccharide
CFG: Caspofungin
The internship opportunity I had with Sumar Biotech LLP, was a great chance for learning
and professional development. Therefore, I consider myself lucky to be a part of it. I also
had a great opportunity to learn and work with professionals who guided Dr Mitesh Patel
internship period.
Bearing this in mind, I take this opportunity to express my deep sense of gratitude and
heartly thanks to My guide, Dr. Mitesh Patel Technical Director of Fermentation and QC
[microbiology department] who have guided throughout the internship and encouraged to
develop interest in the field, in spite of being busy with routine work. She also has inspired
me to develop a positive attitude towards work and develop good communication skills
and its importance for working in a company.
My deepest gratitude to Ms. Trupti Patel (HR Manager) to provide proper facilities in the
company premises which made it easier for me to carry out internship. My sincere
gratitude to Ms. Dashanki Pancholi, Ms. Krupali Patel and Ms. Avani Patel for
imparting knowledge, kind help, advice and support during the internship.
I will express my deepest thanks to Ms. Drashti for giving necessary advice and guidance
as and when needed, I will choose this moment to acknowledge her contributions fully.
I will also like to thank Ms. Archna pandey Head of Biotechnology Department also
extend my thanks to entire faculty members of the department who had actively or
passively helped me during my dissertation work.
I want to express my thank to my beloved parents and family members for their love,
support and good wishes I would like to extend my thanks to all my friends and
batchmates for their precious support
INDEX
ABSTRACT
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 01
MATERIALS
CHAPTER 3 13
&METHODS
CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION 29
CHAPTER 6 REGERENCES 31
.
Abstract
The Bacterial endotoxin testing is essential part of every injectable pharmaceutical industry of finished
product that are used to treatment of various diseases. Therefore, testing in laboratory is must be
required and out of various test bacterial endotoxin test is one of the important tests ensure about that
the product which is completely sterile and free from microbial contamination or load and free from
pathogen. Bacterial endotoxin test is quantifying and detect endotoxin from gram negative bacteria
using amebocyte lysate extracted from Limulus Polyphemus horseshoe crab blood is used to prepare
lysate there are three techniques are used for the detect of the endotoxins in over finished product.
2) turbidimetric technique is depends upon the development of turbidity after the destruction of
substrate.
3) chromogenic technique is based on the formation of color after the cleavage of synthetic peptide
chromogen complex, endotoxins are toxic complexes which is associated with the lipopolysaccharide
outer membrane of cell wall of the gram negative bacteria pathogenicity pyrogen are known as
endotoxin carrying bacteria they cause high fever when its enter the patient body the test can be done
by these three techniques but most of the use in pharmaceutical industry is gel-clot technique require
the incubation period is 1 hours at 37c temperature the test is carried out in a avoiding endotoxins
contamination mostly injectable pharmaceutical industry bacterial endotoxin test .Endotoxin had been
high fever contain thus are very necessary removed out from any type of microbial contamination out
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1|P age
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
INTRODUCTION
Endotoxins are toxic complexes which is invariably associated with the cell-wall of the Gram-negative
bacteria irrespective of bacterial pathogenicity. Endotoxins are rarely fatal, but they cause fever and
hence Endotoxin carrying bacteria are known as Pyrogen. Endotoxin is toxic substances which is bound
with the bacterial cell wall and are released when the bacterium disintegrates. Endotoxin composed of
The components that are protein determine its antigenic property; and the polysaccharide component
determines the antibody type that can react with the Endotoxin molecule. The reaction of
polysaccharide components with the Endotoxin when allowed produces an immune reaction. Endotoxin
is rarely fatal, although they often cause fever. Thus, Bacterial Endotoxin test is the confirmatory test
that assures the presence or absence of the Endotoxin in the medicine sample. Mostly bacterial
Endotoxin test are performed for the inject-able pharmaceutical products, e.g. Caspofungin and other
Micafungin, Anidulafungin and Glutathione All these products have their specific Endotoxin limit
These bacteria are characterized by their cell envelopes. Their cell wall is composed of a thin
peptidoglycan cell-wall sandwiched between an inner cytoplasmic cell membrane and a bacterial outer
membrane. Gram-negative bacteria are found almost everywhere. The gram-negative bacteria include
the model organism Escherichia coli, as well as many pathogenic bacteria. Their outer membrane
2|P age
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
protects them from many antibiotics (including penicillin); detergents that would normally damage the
peptidoglycans of the (inner) cell membrane; and lysozyme, an antimicrobial enzyme produced by
animals that forms part of the innate immune system. Additionally, the outer leaflet of this membrane
comprises a complex lipopolysaccharide (LPS) whose lipid A component can cause a toxic reaction
when these bacteria are lysed by immune cells. This toxic reaction can include fever, an increased
respiratory rate, and low blood pressure a life-threatening condition known as septic shock
LPS is pyrogenic, and bacterial endotoxin is a synonym for LPS. LPS is the toxin which is synthesized
endogenous to the bacteria cell structure. When Gram-negative bacteria are destroyed, endotoxin is
released. In the human body, endotoxin triggers the activation of the body’s defense system, which, in
turn, elevates the body temperature and elicits the pyrogenic response. LPS is located outside a thin
GRAM-NEGATIVE BACTERIA:
In the method of bacterial differentiation such bacteria do not retain the crystal violet stain used in the
gram-staining.
These bacteria are characterized by their cell envelopes. Their cell wall is composed of a thin
peptidoglycan cell-wall sandwiched between an inner cytoplasmic cell membrane and a bacterial outer
membrane. Gram-negative bacteria are found almost everywhere. The gram-negative bacteria include
the model organism Escherichia coli, as well as many pathogenic bacteria. Their outer membrane
protects them from many antibiotics (including penicillin); detergents that would normally damage the
peptidoglycans of the (inner) cell membrane; and lysozyme, an antimicrobial enzyme produced by
3|P age
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
animals that forms part of the innate immune system. Additionally, the outer leaflet of this membrane
comprises a complex lipopolysaccharide (LPS) whose ‘lipid A’ component can cause a toxic reaction
when these bacteria are lysed by immune cells. This toxic reaction can include fever, an increased
respiratory rate, and low blood pressure a life-threatening condition known as septic shock. Some
ENDOTOXINS: -
The bacteria those are associated with Endotoxin grows side by side with fungus and or mold in watery
accumulated in the human digestive system and thus these microorganisms are responsible for the
inflammation in the gut and also in different parts of the body. Endotoxin had been authenticated as
inflammatory agent, onset clinical diabetes, obesity, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, disseminated
intravascular coagulation, vascular collapse, and organ failure. Endotoxins are thus very necessary to
AMOEBOCYTE LYSATE
The term lysate is defined as the mixture of substances which is formed by the lysis of the cells.
Amebocyte lysate is associated with the WBC of horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus or Tachypleus
tridentatus). Amebocyte lysate is a lyophilized product procured from the lysate of amebocyte from the
horseshoe crab. Lysate those are obtained from Limulus polyphemus is known as Limulus Amebocyte
Lysate, while lysate those are obtained from Tachypleus tridentatus is known as Tachypleus
with the types of lysate e.g. for Limulus Amebocyte Lysate the water that is needed to reconstitute the
4|P age
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
lysate is thus LAL Reagent Water whereas for Tachypleus Amebocyte Lysate the water that is needed
to reconstitute the lysate is thus TAL Reagent Water. Lysate is lyophilized and it should be stored at 2-
8 ◦ C.
AIM:
To Compared and Evaluation the Bacterial endotoxin test for different finished product.
OBJECTIVE:
Endotoxins from gram-negative bacteria are the most common cause of toxic reactions resulting from
the contamination of pharmaceutical products with pyrogen. This endotoxin if present in the material
under test reacts with the lysate to form turbidity, precipitate or gel. This procedure describes the
5|P age
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
6) Describe the reagents, materials and equipment needed for the BET.
8)Define volumes, solutions and containers needed to prepare a radiopharmaceutical for a BET.
9)Explain the calculations for the endotoxin limit and limit of detection (LOD).
10). Identify the advantages of the photometric-BET in contrast with the gel-clot BET.
11) Describe the procedure for qualifying a LAL reagent and an analyst for the BET.
6|P age
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
7|P age
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Sterile products are parenteral products which are injected through the skin or mucous membranes into
internal body components. They should be free from microbial contamination, from toxic components
as well as should be sterile. All the processes involved must be performed under standard operating
procedures and designed to eliminate contamination of all types whether physical, chemical or
microbiological origin. Pyrogens are produced mainly by gram negative bacteria and form a part of
endotoxin (osmotic antigen). Many medicinal agents if present interfere with the test results because of
their antipyretic or other interfering effects. Hence pyrogen test is performed on those finished products
which do not interfere with the test. Drugs that are to be intravenously injected must be of a pyrogen-
free quality. For other parenteral drugs, given subcutaneously or intramuscularly in much smaller
volumes (e.g. Vaccines) a maximal acceptable endotoxin concentration has to be defined for quality
According to the Khale Anubha, water is used as the vehicle for most injections as aqueous
preparations are tolerated well by the body and are safest and easiest to administer. In preparation of
water for injection removal of entrained contaminants from the vapor before it is condensed by passage
According to the USP chapter <85>Bacterial Endotoxin Test, the Gel-clot techniques are used to
detect and quantify the bacterial endotoxin based on clotting of LAL reagent in the presence of
endotoxin. The concentration of endotoxin required to cause the lysate to clot under well-defined
8|P age
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
According to the USP chapter <85>Bacterial Endotoxin Test, there are two types of techniques for this
test: the gel-clot techniques, which are based on gel formation, and the photometric techniques. The
latter include a turbid metric method, which is based on the development of turbidity after cleavage of
an endogenous substrate, and a chromogenic method, which is based on the development of color after
cleavage of a synthetic peptide chromogen complex. Proceed by any one of these techniques, unless
otherwise indicated in the monograph. In case of dispute, the final decision is based on the gel-clot
techniques, unless otherwise indicated in the monograph. In the gel-clot techniques, the reaction
endpoint is determined from dilutions of the material under test in direct comparison with parallel
dilutions of a reference endotoxin, and quantities of endotoxin are expressed in USP Endotoxin Units
(USP-EU).
Bacterial endotoxin is the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) component of the cell wall of Gram-negative
bacteria. It is pyrogenic, and it is a risk to patients who are administered intravenous and intramuscular
preparations. Pyrogenicity and the structure of endotoxin and moves onto examine Limulus amebocyte
lysate (LAL) testing and other, alternative, methods of assessing pyrogens and endotoxin. For these
reasons, pharmaceutical products that are injected into the human body are tested for pyrogenic
substances. The most common, and arguably most important pyrogen, is bacterial endotoxin. Bacteria
endotoxin presents a significant risk to many pharmaceutical products, especially parenteral products.
According to World health organization, the gel-clot technique is for detecting or quantifying
endotoxins based on clotting of the lysate TS in the presence of endotoxin. The minimum concentration
9|P age
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
of endotoxin required to cause the lysate to clot under standard conditions is the labeled sensitivity of
the lysate TS. To ensure both the precision and validity of the test, perform the tests for confirming the
labeled lysate sensitivity and for interfering factors as described below under Preparatory testing.
This technique is a photometric assay measuring increases in reactant turbidity. On the basis of the
particular assay principle employed, this technique may be classified as either an endpoint-turbidimetric
relationship between the concentration of endotoxins and the turbidity (absorbance or transmission) of
the reaction mixture at the end of an incubation period. The kinetic-turbidimetric assay is a method to
measure either the time (onset time) needed to reach a predetermined absorbance or transmission of the
reaction mixture, or the rate of turbidity development. The test is carried out at the incubation
This technique is an assay to measure the chromophore released from a suitable chromogenic peptide
by the reaction of endotoxins with lysate. On the basis of the particular assay principle employed, this
The endpoint-chromogenic assay is based on the quantitative relationship between the concentration of
endotoxins and the release of chromophore at the end of an incubation period. The kinetic-chromogenic
assay is a method to measure either the time (onset time) needed to reach a predetermined absorbance
of the reaction mixture, or the rate of color development. The test is carried out at the incubation
10 | P a g e
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
The rabbit test is no longer widely used, and it has largely been replaced, for the testing of parenteral
drug products, by the LAL test. The reason for this is because the most common type of pyrogen found
in the pharmaceutical industry is bacterial endotoxin, and for which, LAL (with some limitations
explored below) is a specific test for. This risk from endotoxin is due, not least, to the large quantities
predominance of the LAL assay is not to suggest that rabbit pyrogen testing has been completely
eliminated, but that its use is in decline. Moreover, there are alternatives to the LAL test, such as
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods and the monocyte activation test (MAT).
The LAL test is a method, of the bacterial endotoxin test (BET), for detecting the presence, and to go
some way to determining the level, of Gram-negative bacterial endotoxins in a given sample or
substance. Current editions of the pharmacopoeia carry statements to the effect that where the term a
pyrogenic or pyrogen-free is used it should be interpreted as meaning that samples of the product will
comply with a limit for bacterial endotoxin. However, it was not until the early twentieth century with
the development of a rabbit pyrogen test that an understanding emerged in which bacteria could be
classified into pyrogenic and nonpyrogenic types, creatable to their Gram stain. Gram- negative
bacteria were found to be pyrogenic, Gram-positive bacteria were generally not: and killed cultures of
Gram-negative bacteria were comparable to live cultures in their ability to induce fevers. Due to the
association with living and dead bacteria, by the 1920s, it was apparent that sterility in parenteral
11 | P a g e
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
pharmaceuticals.
The structural rigidity of the bacterial cell wall is conferred by a material called peptidoglycan (also
known as murein). It is a polymer consisting of sugars and amino acids that forms a mesh-like layer
outside the plasma membrane of bacteria forming the cell wall. Thin layer, and it is not the outermost
layer. Gram-negative bacteria instead have an outer membrane, and they are sometimes described as
having a cell envelope rather than a cell wall. The outer membrane functions to maximize the ability of
the bacterium to derive nutrients from the external environment. The outer layer also functions as a
permeability barrier effective against diffusion of exo-enzymes into the external environment. This is
an evolutionary feature that has arisen to allow Gram-negative bacteria to survive and increase in
numbers in environments such as water in which there are only low concentrations of organic nutrients.
Macromolecular organic nutrients are trapped in the cell envelope as the water flows by, and then
within the cell envelope they are hydrolyzed to smaller molecules that can be taken into the cell.
12 | P a g e
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
Chapter:3
Material and Methodology
13 | P a g e
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
Equipment required:
1) vortex mixture.
2) Heating block.
4) oven.
5) pH meter.
6) Thermometer.
7) Refrigerator.
Material required:
Limulus amebocyte lysate [LAL] with sensitivity of 0.03 EU / ml, Reference Standard Endotoxin or
S.S. caps (38 x 200 mm), Dilution Tubes (12x75 mm), Incubation tubes (10 x 75 mm), measuring
1) Caspofungin (5EU/ml).
2) Micafungin (0.6EU/ml).
14 | P a g e
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
Utilities required:
The structural rigidity of the bacterial cell wall is conferred by a material called peptidoglycan (also
known as murein). It is a polymer consisting of sugars and amino acids that forms a mesh-like layer
outside the plasma membrane of bacteria forming the cell wall [8]. In Gram-positive bacteria,
peptidoglycan is present as a thick layer that is outer-most in the cell wall. In Gram-negative bacteria,
the peptidoglycan is only a thin layer, and it is not the outermost layer. Gram-negative bacteria instead
have an outer membrane, and they are sometimes described as having a cell envelope rather than a cell
wall. The outer membrane functions to maximize the ability of the bacterium to derive nutrients from
the external environment. The outer layer also functions as a permeability barrier effective against
diffusion of exo-enzymes into the external environment. This is an evolutionary feature that has arisen
to allow Gram-negative bacteria (illustrated in Figure 11.1) to survive and increase in numbers in
environments such as water in which there are only low concentrations of organic nutrients.
Macromolecular organic nutrients are trapped in the cell poison as the water flows by, and then within
the cell envelope they are hydrolyzed to smaller molecules that can be taken into the cell.
Bacterial endotoxin test is used to quantify or detect endotoxins from Gram negative bacteria using
amebocyte lysate from horseshoe crab. Endotoxin: lipopolysaccharide associated with outer
15 | P a g e
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
membrane of gram-negative bacteria such as pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella,
2) Turbidimetric method
3) Chromogenic method
Depyrogenation: Depyrogenate the glassware by heating at 250 t 10 ° C for 1 hour in hot air oven and
treat micro tips with 4% NaOH solution for Depyrogenation (follow SOP SL / QC / 31 for
depyrogenation). Use the glassware and WFI after cooling to room temperature.
Reconstitution of Endotoxin:
Reconstitute the endotoxin as per the label instruction on the vial, using freshly collected water for
injection. Vortex the endotoxin vial at least for 30 minutes vigorously on vortex mixture at high speed.
Prepare the endotoxin dilution equivalent to labeled sensitivity 0), twice of labeled sensitivity (22), four
times of labeled sensitivity (4) and half of the labeled sensitivity (/ 2) of the lysate used using freshly
16 | P a g e
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
Lysate reconstitution:
Before using the lysate ensure that it has been confirmed / validated for its claimed sensitivity.
Bring the lysate from refrigerator and reconstitute it with water for injection as per labeled instruction.
Swirl it gently between palms for 1-2 minutes. Take care not to produce foam / froth in the vial.
Prepare half the dilution (i.e. MVD) of materials using freshly collected water for injection in
Check the pH. Adjust it between 6.00 to 8.00 if required by using Pyrogen free 0.1M NaOH or 0.01 M
Perform the tests for negative control (WFI), positive control, sample and positive product control in
duplicate.
With the help of micropipette take each of negative control, positive control, product positive control
Add 0.1 ml of Lysate to each tube. Shake the tubes gently for a couple of seconds and incubate the
tubes in the heating block, previously adjusted at 37.0 t 1.0 ° C for 60.0 +2.0 minutes (Ref: BP / Ph.
Eur).
Note: Performed the entire test under the Laminar airflow bench. Switch "ON" the Laminar air flow
bench at least one hour before the test Performed and continue till completion of the test observation.
17 | P a g e
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
Expose the settle plate in the LAF bench during the analysis for the checking of microbial
Table-1
After incubation observe the tubes by slowly inverting the tube upside down at 180 ° angle to check the
formation of gel.
Table-2
Product
Negative Positive Action to be
Case Specimen positive
control control taken
control
Sample passes
1. -ve -ve +ve +ve -ve -ve +ve +ve
the test
18 | P a g e
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
Repeat the test
5. -ve -ve -ve +ve -ve -ve -ve -ve with fresh
LAL/Endotoxin
Repeat the test
6. +ve +ve +ve +ve +ve +ve +ve +ve with fresh
LRW or WFI
7. -ve +ve -ve +ve -ve +ve -ve +ve Repeat the test
Depyrogenation:
Depyrogenate the glassware and NAOH pellets by heating at 250 ° C + 10 ° C for 1 hours in hot air
oven and microtips treat with 4% NaOH solution for depyrogenation (follow SL / QC / 30 for
depyrogenation). Use the glassware and WFI after cooling to room temperature.
Reconstitution of Endotoxin:
Reconstitute the endotoxin as per the label instruction on the vial, using freshly collected pyrogen free
Vortex the endotoxin vial, at least for 30 minutes, on vortex mixture at high speed.
Prepare the dilution as follows Reconstitute Control Standard Endotoxin (CSE) as per manufacturers
instruction. Prepare a 4-replicate series of 2-fold dilution of the controlled standard endotoxin to make
concentration of 22, 2, 2, 4. Dilute it as follows to get 1 EU/ml concentration and them serially till
0.015 EU / ml concentrations.
Carry out BET using these dilutions of endotoxin as per method described in 4.4. Observe the results
a) If the gel that remains intact momentarily when tube is inverted, the result is positive.
Calculate the geometric mean: The end point is the last positive test in a series of decreasing
concentration of endotoxin. Record the end point concentration for each replicate series of dilution.
Determine the log endpoint concentration and calculate the geometric mean end point concentration
GM - Antilog (Ee / f)
F= No. of replicates
Record the results in confirmation of the lysate sensitivity test protocol (Annexure 3).
20 | P a g e
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
Methodology for test of interfering factor (Inhibition/Enhancement):
Depyrogenation:
Depyrogenate the glassware by heating at 250 ° C + 10 ° C for 1 in hot air oven. Use the glassware and
Reconstitute the endotoxin as per the label instruction on the vial, using freshly Vortex the endotoxin
vial, at least for 30 minutes, on vortex mixture at high speed. Prepare a 4-replicate series of 2-fold
dilution of the controlled standard endotoxin to make concentration of 2., A, N2, / 4. Prepare the
dilution as follows:
a. Reconstitute CSE as per manufacturer's instruction. Dilute it as follows to get 1 EU/ ml concentration
21 | P a g e
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
1.0 ml (f) + 1.0 ml WFI = 0.015 EU/ml (g)
Perform the test on aliquots of the specimen or a dilution not to exceed the MVD.
Carry out BET using above dilution and controls as per method described in 4.04.
The turbid metric assay is, together with the chromogenic assay, a photometric method. With this test,
during the process of clot formation, the lysate-sample reaction mixture becomes increasingly more
turbid. During the LAL reaction, the concentration of insoluble coagulin increases as its precursor,
coagulogen, is cleaved. This process causes a corresponding increase in optical density (OD) of the
microplate reader or a tube reader). The rate of increase of the OD is directly proportional to the
endotoxin concentration present in the well. This is the basis for the turbid metric LAL assay. The
assay measures the increase in turbidity as a function of endotoxin concentration measured against a
standard curve and, from this, estimates the endotoxin concentration in a sample.
3) Chromogenic method:
The chromogenic assay uses the initial portion of the endotoxin cascade. Here a synthetic chromogenic
peptide is substituted for the clotting protein the peptide generates a yellow color. The chromogenic
assay uses a synthetic chromogenic substrate that contains a specific sequence of amino acids that are
22 | P a g e
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
designed to mimic the cleavage site in co-agulogen. Activated clotting enzymes cleave this site and
cause the liberation of the chromophore (para-nitro aniline. PNA), which has a yellow color. The
liberated PNA absorbs light at 405 nm. In the chromogenic assay, the measurement of this absorption
of light at this 405 nm that is measured. The degree and the rate of increased absorption is proportional
to the endotoxin within the sample. When using kinetic methods, the most important aspect is the
standard curve for the endotoxin concentrations. This is because the standard curve selected, and how
it performs, determines the test sensitivity. Therefore. the high point and low point in a standard curve
determine the lower and upper levels of endotoxin that can be detected Although the LAL test today is
As indicated above, the widest application of the LAL test method is with the testing of samples of
water (primarily water-for-injection; WFI) and for assessing final products, especially those
administered by injection. A related area is with depyrogenation studies. WFI and sample testing are
important because endotoxicity is not necessarily lost with the loss of viability of micro-organisms.
LPS is not destroyed to any significant extent by sterilization treatments such as steam sterilization,
gamma radiation. ethylene oxide, and hydrogen peroxide. LPS also passes through 0.22-um bacteria-
retentive filters. It is claimed that endotoxin may be removed from liquids by up to 4log reductions
With depyrogenation, there are two commonly used ways of eliminating endotoxin from materials,
removing them and inactivating them: by rinsing or by dry heat depyrogenation. The normal method of
removal is by rinsing the material with WFI. This is normally applied to rubber stoppers for vials. It is
23 | P a g e
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
also what is done to vessels and major pieces of equipment used for sterile parenteral manufacturing. A
question arises as to whether this can be validated and assured. In answer, the sampling statistics is
likely to be poor, and the test method is inaccurate and probably there is not much there in the first
place.
Inactivation is achieved by dry heat. If there are materials and glass vials that are required for sterile
parenteral manufacturing that can be depyrogenated by dry heat, then they should be depyrogenated by
dry heat in an oven or a tunnel. The regulatory standard for validation of an endotoxin inactivation
(depyrogenation) process is that it should be capable of reducing an endotoxin challenge through 3 log,
reduction. To ensure that this limit works there is also a requirement to clean materials prior to dry heat
depyrogenation with WFI-otherwise at least in theory, an item could be contaminated with 16,000 EU
prior to entering a validated endotoxin inactivation process and still emerging with 10 EU intact and
Dry heat depyrogenation is a complex process that is still poorly understood with contradictory
research data. The phenomenon that complicates the picture is that in- activation may approximate to
the second-order chemical kinetics with a high initial rate of inactivation, then tail off to nothing. What
this means in practice is that, at any particular depyrogenating temperature, it will be subject to some
degree of inactivation in some period of time or other but beyond that point no further inactivation will
24 | P a g e
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
Chapter 4
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
25 | P a g e
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
As for example,
MVD = 5 x 10
0.03 EU/mL
= 1:1666.6=1:1600
[Routine dilution is MVD; hence sample needs to be diluted till MVD/2 to do testing on 50:50
dilution method]
Therefore,
MVD/4 =
1:400
Sample Dilution:
Take 1ml of sample A and dilute it with 1mL LRW (MVD/4)
Dilution Preparation:
Dilution for LRW Sample CSE Lysate
Product Positive
- 50 µL 50 µL 100 µL
Control
Negative Product
50 µL 50 µL - 100 µL
Control (Sample)
26 | P a g e
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
Incubation Time: 60 min ± 2 min.
Incubation Temperature:37°C±1°C
Results:
Legend: Negative means no gel firm after inverting tube at 180° and
Positive means gel form after inverting tube at 180°
Observation:
27 | P a g e
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
NC should be negative i.e. no gel clot formation when the tubes are inverted 180°
No gel clot formation in NPC indicates that the sample is passing the test
Formation of firm gel in NPC indicates that the sample is failing the test
PC and PPC should be positive i.e., formation of firm gel capable of maintaining its
Formation of firm gel in PPC indicates that the product has no interference with the test
If negative product control one tube gives positive reaction and second tubes gives
negative reaction.
28 | P a g e
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
Chapter 5
Conclusion
29 | P a g e
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
CONCLUSION
Conclusion The substance / preparation complies with the bacterial endotoxin test if product
positive control is positive and negative controls are negative. If positive results are obtained for
one of the test duplicates, then repeat the test once again. If samples show negative results the
product / preparation complies with the test and it fails / doesn't comply if either one or both of the
Pyrogens are a concern for pharmaceutical rue products and for many of the ingredients used to
formulate them. This is especially so for products that come into contact with human blood. Here,
by far the most concerning pyrogen is bacterial endotoxin. In relation to this, the chapter has
considered the risks of endotoxin to pharmaceutical processing and some of the control measures
in place to reduce the risk of contamination. Furthermore, the chapter has provided an introduction
to endotoxin as well as to the primary method for detecting endotoxin: the LAL test. Here the
chapter has examined the three main types of LAL test gel-clot, chromogenic, and turbidimetric, as
well as considering alternative test methods. Such tests are an essential feature of most
pharmaceutical microbiology laboratories. The Limulus Amebocyte Lysate reacts with endotoxin
due to cascade of enzymatic reaction resulting in formation of gel. This reaction depends on
concentration of the endotoxin. The lysate sensitivity refers to the minimum concentration that can
be detected by using the lysate. Each batch of lysate obtained from the supplier has to be
confirmed for its claimed labeled sensitivity. Acceptable variation is one half to two times the
labeled sensitivity i.e. N2 to 2. The lysate is therefore said to be validated to the claimed
30 | P a g e
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
CHAPTER – 6
REFERENCES
31 | P a g e
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN TEST IN
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
REFERENCES:
Sandle, T. (2011). A Review of Cleanroom Microflora: Types, Trends, and Patterns. PDA journal of
Pharmaceutical science and Technology, 393-394.
sandle, T. (2014). Cleanroom Microbiology. United States: Davis Healthcare International Publishing.
USP. (2013). <1113> Microbial Characterization, Identification, and Strain Typing. United states
pharmacopeia, 784-785.
Md. Sahab Uddin*, A. A. (2016). In-Process and Finished Products Quality Control, Tests for
Mulay Sushruta*, K. A. (2011). An Overview of Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) test. International
Sakhno NG, G. O. (2016). Microbial Identification Methods in Pharmaceutical Analysis: Comparison and
32 | P a g e
33 | P a g e