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Extracting hemolymph from a crab.
© Mick Dawson |
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After bleeding, crabs are returned to the ocean.
© Mick Dawson |
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They're checked for health and then bled through a stainless steel tube. It takes around five minutes to extract about 20 percent of the animal's blood, after which it is returned to the ocean. About 90 percent of horseshoe crabs survive this procedure. Approximately two hundred thousand crabs are bled each year for LAL, which costs between one dollar to $2.50 per test tube.
As an Ingredient of a Potential Aids Vaccine
Researchers in several countries have discovered that a protein extracted from Limulus (Limulus polyphemus hemocyanin) suppresses the proliferation of the HIV virus when linked with various peptides. They are now developing and testing applications that could result in an AIDS vaccine, and have obtained some promising results.
Other protein fragments extracted from Limulus blood have been helpful in treating gram-negative bacterial infections in mammals.
In addition to using Limulusfor medical purpose, humans have, over the years, found many other uses for this creature.
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