Background:
Endotoxin-free engineered nanoparticle suspensions are imperative for their
successful applications in the field of nanomedicine as well as in the investigations in their toxicity.
Gold nanoparticles are known to interfere with various in vitro assays due to their optical properties
and potential for surface reactivity. In vitro endotoxin testing assays are known to be susceptible to
interference caused by the sample being tested.
Objective:
This study aimed to identify a preferred assay for the testing of endotoxin contamination
in gold nanoparticle suspensions.
Methods:
The interference by gold nanoparticles on three assays namely, the commonly used
limulus amebocyte lysate chromogenic assay, the limulus amebocyte lysate gel-clot method, and the
less common recombinant Factor C (rFC) assay, was tested.
Results:
Possible interference could be observed with all three assays. The interference with the absorbance-
based chromogenic assay could not be overcome by dilution; whilst the qualitative nature
of the gel-clot assay excluded the possibility of distinguishing between a false positive result due to
enhancement of the sensitivity of the assay, and genuine endotoxin contamination. However, interference
with the rFC assay was easily overcome through dilution.
Conclusion:
The rFC assay is recommended as an option for endotoxin contamination detection in
gold nanoparticle suspensions.
Endotoxin contamination of engineered nanomaterials: Overcoming the hurdles associated with endotoxin testing
