Metalworking fluids (MWFs) are liquids used in various metalworking processes, such as grinding, cutting, and forming to cool, lubricate and prevent rust on workpieces and tools. Different occasions include many types. During their service life, MWFs may change their composition with the increase of metal fines, contaminated oil, and bacteria, and these changes may increase the risk of adverse health effects. Endotoxin is a component of the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria, also known as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Endotoxin is only released when the bacteria die and dissolve or the bacterial cells are destroyed by artificial methods, causing harm to the host. Because endotoxin is directly related to the level of Gram-negative bacteria, endotoxin detection in MWFs is a sensitive and effective method for monitoring the sump and air of occupational environments where metal processing or handling is performed.
Figure 1. Horseshoe crab blood, conceptual illustration.
Bacterial or fungal growth, spoilage, and accumulation of endotoxins can all cause health risks. Primary reagent Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) is an aqueous extract of blood cells (amebocytes) from Limulus (horseshoe crab). The zymogen in the LAL reagent reacts with LPS to produce the activated enzyme coagulase. Detecting the level of endotoxin in the MWFs can be achieved using gel clots, colorimeters, spectrophotometers, and chromogenic assays.
MWFs contaminated with endotoxins can cause contact dermatitis, upper respiratory tract irritation, asthma, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. LAL tests are therefore useful for testing endotoxin levels in MWFs, which can be effectively applied to industrial production and are beneficial to human health as well.
Creative BioMart can provide a series of comprehensive and accurate endotoxin detection services and a variety of endotoxin removal kits, which are convenient for you to use in scientific research. If you are interested in our applications, please contact us for more details.
