Evaluation of ToxTrak (Trademark) for Analysis of Protein Toxin Toxicity

Ascertaining the toxicity of samples containing proteins such as ricin and SEB requires an activity assay that yields accurate and reproducible results. The ToxTrakTM system was investigated as a possible quantitative assay. ToxTrakTM is a commercially available kit supplied by the Hach Company (Lov...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Schenning, Amanda M, Bevilacqua, Vicky L H, Morrissey, Kevin M, Rice, Jeffrey S
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
ASSAYING
BACTERIA
Biochemistry
CYANIDES
INHIBITION
PROTEINS
RICIN
SAMPLING
TOXICITY
Toxicology
TOXTRAKTM
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Summary:Ascertaining the toxicity of samples containing proteins such as ricin and SEB requires an activity assay that yields accurate and reproducible results. The ToxTrakTM system was investigated as a possible quantitative assay. ToxTrakTM is a commercially available kit supplied by the Hach Company (Loveland, Colorado). The ToxTrakTM system correlates the toxicity of a sample with its effect on the respiration of bacteria, as measured by percent inhibition. Initially, our intent was to develop a modified version of the ToxTrakTM test that would be amenable for use with a microplate reader. Development of a plate reader version of the test, however, first required the successful demonstration of the unmodified ToxTrakTM method to indicate toxicity due to protein toxins. ToxtrakTM proved to be useful for identifying the toxicity of various levels of cyanide. However, when we evaluated the kit for the ability to indicate toxicity due to a protein known to be toxic to E. coli, we were not able to achieve reproducible results. Due to the inconsistencies obtained for percent inhibition while utilizing the standard protocol with protein toxins, we chose not to pursue attempts to develop a modified method for use with a microplate reader.