Sustainable rFC Endotoxin Assay Kit: Reliable BET Solution from China Suppliers and Factory
Technical Information on Recombinant Factor C (rFC) Fluorometric Assay for Bacterial Endotoxin Detection
The rFC fluorometric assay is a horseshoe crab-free, in vitro method for quantitative bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) detection, compliant with global pharmacopoeias (USP <85>, EP 2.6.14). Its core principle relies on recombinant Factor C (rFC)—a recombinant protein engineered from the LPS-binding domain of horseshoe crab Factor C—eliminating reliance on natural horseshoe crab blood and addressing sustainability concerns.
1. Assay Principle
Endotoxin LPS specifically binds to the LPS-recognition domain of rFC, triggering a conformational change that activates rFC’s serine protease activity. The intensity of AMC fluorescence is directly proportional to the endotoxin concentration in the sample, measurable via a fluorescence microplate reader.
2. Key Technical Parameters
- Sensitivity: Detects endotoxins at concentrations as low as 0.005 EU/mL, matching or exceeding traditional Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) assays.
- Linear Range: Typically covers 0.005–50 EU/mL, enabling quantitative analysis across a broad concentration spectrum.
- Specificity: Exhibits high specificity for LPS; it is not activated by (1→3)-β-D-glucans (a common interference in LAL gel-clot assays), reducing false-positive results.
- Incubation Conditions: Requires controlled temperature (37±1°C) and incubation time (60–120 minutes), with fluorescence measured at excitation/emission wavelengths of ~360 nm/~460 nm.
3. Workflow Overview
- Prepare samples (e.g., pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biological products) via dilution or extraction to remove matrix interference.
- Mix rFC reagent, fluorogenic substrate, and sample in a microplate well.
- Incubate at 37°C to allow LPS-rFC binding, activation, and substrate cleavage.
- Measure fluorescence intensity; calculate endotoxin concentration using a standard curve generated with known endotoxin standards (e.g., Escherichia coli O55:B5 LPS).
This assay combines sustainability (no horseshoe crab harvesting), reliability (low interference, high reproducibility), and efficiency, making it ideal for quality control in pharmaceutical and biotech industries.








