PREPARATION OF THE STANDARD ENDOTOXIN STOCK SOLUTION AND STANDARD SOLUTIONS
The USP Endotoxin RS has a defined potency of 10,000 USP Endotoxin Units (EU) per vial. Constitute the entire contents of 1 vial of the RSE with 5 mL of LAL Reagent Water 3 , mix intermittently for 30 minutes, using a vortex mixer, and use this concentrate for making appropriate serial dilutions. Preserve the concentrate in a refrigerator for making subsequent dilutions for not more than 14 days. Mix vigorously, using a vortex mixer, for not less than 3 minutes before use. Mix each dilution for not less than 30 seconds before proceeding to make the next dilution. Do not store dilutions, because of loss of activity by adsorption, in the absence of supporting data to the contrary.
Preparatory Testing
Use an LAL Reagent of confirmed label sensitivity.
The validity of test results for bacterial endotoxins requires an adequate demonstration that specimens of the article or of solutions, washings, or extracts thereof to which the test is to be applied do not of themselves inhibit or enhance the reaction or otherwise interfere with the test. Validation is accomplished by performing the inhibition or enhancement test described under each of the three techniques indicated. Appropriate negative controls are included. Validation must be repeated if the LAL Reagent source or the method of manufacture or formulation of the article is changed.
Preparation of Sample Solutions
Prepare sample solutions by dissolving or diluting drugs or extracting medical devices using LAL Reagent Water. Some substances or preparations may be more appropriately dissolved, diluted, or extracted in other aqueous solutions. If necessary, adjust the pH of the solution (or dilution thereof) to be examined so that the pH of the mixture of the LAL Reagent and sample falls within the pH range specified by the LAL Reagent manufacturer. This usually applies to a product with a pH in the range of 6.0 to 8.0. The pH may be adjusted using an acid, base, or suitable buffer as recommended by the LAL Reagent manufacturer. Acids and bases may be prepared from concentrates or solids with LAL Reagent Water in containers free of detectable endotoxin. Buffers must be validated to be free of detectable endotoxin and interfering factors.
DETERMINATION OF MAXIMUM VALID DILUTION (MVD)
The Maximum Valid Dilution is the maximum allowable dilution of a specimen at which the endotoxin limit can be determined. It applies to injections or to solutions for parenteral administration in the form constituted or diluted for administration, or, where applicable, to the amount of drug by weight if the volume of the dosage form for administration could be varied. The general equation to determine MVD is:
MVD = (Endotoxin limit × Concentration of sample solution)/( )
where the concentration of sample solution and are as defined below. Where the endotoxin limit concentration is specified in the individual monograph in terms of volume (in EU per mL), divide the limit by , which is the labeled sensitivity (in EU per mL) of the LAL Reagent, to obtain the MVD factor. Where the endotoxin limit concentration is specified in the individual monograph in terms of weight or Units of active drug (in EU per mg or in EU per Unit), multiply the limit by the concentration (in mg per mL or in Units per mL) of the drug in the solution tested or of the drug constituted according to the label instructions, whichever is applicable, and divide the product of the multiplication by , to obtain the MVD factor. The MVD factor so obtained is the limit dilution factor for the preparation for the test to be valid.