Abstract: A maltodextrin phosphorylase limit dextrin in the presence of maltodextrin phosphorylase and inorganic phosphate, is used as a substrate for alpha-amylase, which initiates a series of enzymatic reactions resulting in a chromogen response which can be used to measure the concentration of alpha-amylase in a body fluid. A novel limit dextrin and its preparation also are described.

Abstract: For use in measuring the extent or rate of optical density change produced by a reaction a rigid or semi-rigid disposable reaction container is disclosed of the type comprising a windowed reaction chamber adapted for the transmission of light therethrough and an auxiliary chamber that is separated from the reaction chamber except for an opening which is small enough to prevent substantial diffusion or movement of liquid from one chamber to the other when under static conditions but through which a solution of a reagent in the auxiliary chamber may be forced so as to enter the reaction chamber and commingle with a solution of another reagent and thereby trigger a reaction, improvements comprising the provision in a receptacle having side walls, end walls and a bottom wall of a projection which extends a substantial distance upwardly from the bottom wall so as to separate the lower part of the receptacle into two portions adapted to separate liquid in one of said portions from the other portion in combination w

Abstract: A sample of an aqueous liquid, e.g. an aqueous parenterally-administered drug, is tested for determining the amount of any endotoxin contained therein by admixing a sample of the liquid with lysate obtained by water lysing washed amebocyte cells from the blood of the horeseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus), said lysate being buffered at a pH between about 6.5 and about 6.8 and being at a concentration such that 1 ml thereof is reactive with 0.1 ml of an endotoxin solution containing 1 ng per ml of endotoxin to develop upon incubation for 60 minutes at 37.degree. C turbidity exhibiting absorbancy between about 0.07 and about 0.

Abstract: For use in measuring the extent or rate of optical density change produced by a reaction a rigid or semi-rigid disposable reaction container is disclosed of the type comprising a windowed reaction chamber adapted for the transmission of light therethrough and an auxiliary chamber that is separated from the reaction chamber except for an opening which is small enough to prevent substantial diffusion or movement of liquid from one chamber to the other when under static conditions but through which a solution of a reagent in the auxiliary chamber may be forced so as to enter the reaction chamber and commingle with a solution of another reagent and thereby trigger a reaction, improvements comprising the provision in a receptacle having side walls, end walls and a bottom wall of a projection which extends a substantial distance upwardly from the bottom wall so as to separate the lower part of the receptacle into two portions adapted to separate liquid in one of said portions from the other portion in combination w