Bacterial lipopolysaccharide extraction in silica gel-containing tubes

We have studied the usefulness of commercially available silica gel-containing tubes (serum separator tubes) for lipopolysaccharide extraction. Bacterial lipopolysaccharides from different bacterial species have been extracted in regular test tubes and tubes containing silica gel. They were characterized by chemical analysts, gel electrophoresis and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and one of their biological activities has been assayed. They were found to be indistinguishable, except that higher lipopolysaccharide yields were obtained when the extraction was carried out in silica gel-containing tubes. The use of these tubes provides a safe and convenient alternative to standard lipopolysaccharide extraction.