A New and Rapid Method for the Determination of Glucose by Measurement of Rate of Oxygen Consumption

Glucose levels in serum, plasma, and urine are determined rapidly and conveniently by a new glucose oxidase method employing a polarographic oxygen sensor with a circuit modified to record the rate of oxygen consumption. The maximum apparent rate of oxygen consumption relative to the rate obtained with a glucose standard provides a direct measure of the glucose level in the sample; results are obtainable within 20 sec. after sample (100 µl.) addition and within 3 min. after a blood sample is withdrawn from a patient. Interferences associated with prior colorimetric glucose oxidase methods are avoided by measuring oxygen consumption instead of hydrogen peroxide formation. The method is described and results are presented showing a standard deviation of less than 1.5% on replicate determinations and a bias of 1% with respect to data obtained on the same samples by the automated ferricyanide method.