A Novel Improved Design for the First-generation Glucose Biosensor
Jie Liu1* and Joseph Wang2
1Department of Chemistry, Nantong Medical College, Nantong, JS 226001, People’s Republic of China
2Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
Article history:
Received May 17, 2000
Accepted October 26, 2000
Key words:
glucose, biosensors, enzyme electrode, metal-dispersed, carbon paste
Summary:
The historical development of three generations of enzyme-based amperometric glucose biosensors are compared. A novel design of the first-generation glucose biosensor based on the use of metal-dispersed carbon paste electrode is described. Such a strategy enables remarkable selectivity and improved sensitivity, without excluding or destroying the endogenous electroactive interferences, commonly associated with the first-generation glucose biosensor. It offers a strong, preferential electrocatalytic action towards the enzymatically- liberated hydrogen peroxide due to the proper selection of the transducer metal-dispersed material. On the other hand, a unique, non-polar pasting liquid allows efficient operation of the resulting glucose biosensor under severe depletion of oxygen or under a considerable period of thermal stress by providing an internal oxygen supply and establishing a micro-environment of the enzyme against thermoinactivation, respectively. Metal-dispersed carbon paste enzyme electrodes have thus become a promising new design of the first-generation biosensors, especially for blood glucose measurements and other biothechnical applications due to their remarkable selectivity, high stability, low oxygen- dependence, and good dynamic performance.
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