Evaluation of quantification methods of occupational endotoxin exposure.

Endotoxin has been identified as important component of organic-dust exposure and is suspected as main cause of work-related adverse health effects in dusty areas. Although the determination of endotoxin levels by using the Limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) assay is internationally accepted, reliability and variation of values measured with this test remain a point of discussion. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to determine the influence of different parameters on endotoxin activity measured in airborne samples. This study thus analyzed: (a) dust filter extraction procedures, (b) storage of samples, (c) usage of different commercially available LAL assays, and (d) results of the whole blood assay (WBA) compared to the LAL test. Using a parallel sampler, 120 filters were loaded with dust at 4 different occupational settings and extracted in 2 labs using a standardized protocol. Parameters like Tween in the extraction medium, extraction volume, centrifugation speed, and material of tubes used for extraction were tested. The LAL test and the WBA were able to determine the differences in dust load of filters obtained from the settings investigated. In addition, results varied significantly with modifications in extraction procedures. Using Tween for filter extraction mainly influenced the resulting endotoxin activity. In addition, LAL test differences according to manufacturer of LAL test, extraction volume, and whether the samples are freshly processed or frozen also resulted in significant variations in the endotoxin levels. In conclusion, a reliable assessment of exposure to endotoxin activity is only possible if standard operation procedures (SOPs) for sampling and determination are established.

["Microbial air pollutants--methods for detection of endotoxins, mycotoxins and MVOC"]. / "Mikrobielle Luftverunreinigungen--Verfahren zur Erfassung und Diagnose von Endotoxinen, Mykotoxinen und MVOC"

In the context of microbial emissions from composting facilities the methods for the detection and identification of the groups of substances released, i.e. endotoxins, mycotoxins and Microbial Volatile Compounds (MVOC) are discussed. With the aid of an overview of the different methods employed for the investigation of the single groups of compounds the current state of the art in this field is presented. In conclusion the enormous research needs, especially with regard to the mycotoxins and MVOC, are pointed out.

Ion distribution in leaf cells of Egeria densa.

The lement concentrations of intracellular compartments of leaf cells of Egeria densa are estimated by X-ray microanalysis. Ultrathin frozen-dried sections are used in TEM mode. The concentrations of Na, Mg, P, Cl, K, and Ca are determined in the cell wall, cytoplasm and chloroplasts. The cell wall represents a Donnan free space with a negative fixed charge concentration of 360 mval/l water. The water fraction of the cytoplasm is between 85 and 90% and strikes the bounds of possibility of that method.