Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)

LPS typically stands for “lipopolysaccharides” in the context of water or microbiology which are large molecules found in the outer membrane of certain types of bacteria, specifically gram-negative bacteria. They are a crucial part of the bacterial cell wall and have several important functions in bacterial physiology, therefore in the context of water quality and safety, the presence of lipopolysaccharides can indicate the presence of certain types of bacteria, especially those associated with faecal contamination. This is due to gram-bacteria, which possess LPS in their cell walls, are commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, including humans. The presence of LPS in water can suggest that the potential presence of harmful pathogens may be a cause for concern in terms of waterborne diseases and gastrointestinal illnesses. Detection and quantification of LPS in water are typically done through specialized laboratory techniques, such as the Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay, which used components from horseshoe crab blood to detect bacterial endotoxins like LPS. Therefore, monitoring these levels in water should be part of a routine water quality test procedure, especially in assessing the safety of drinking water supplies and recreational waters like swimming pools and beaches.