Determination of serum glucose by horseradish peroxidase-catalysed imidazole chemiluminescence coupled to a micro-flow-injection system.

The reactivity of flow-injection (FI)-horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-catalysed imidazole chemiluminescence (CL) was studied for continuous determination of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and serum glucose with immobilized glucose oxidase. Light emission by the HRP-catalysed imidazole CL was obtained when immobilized HRP, alkaline imidazole (in Tricine solution, pH 9.3) and H(2)O(2) were reacted at room temperature. The optimal pH for the CL reaction was 9.3 and the optimal concentration of imidazole was 100 micromol/L. When no imidazole was added, the light intensity of the same H(2)O(2) specimen decreased to a level that could not be quantitatively determined. The spectrum of the light emitted by imidazole CL was in the range 400-600 nm with a peak at 500 nm. The calibration equation for determination of H(2)O(2) was y = 9860x(2) + 3830x + 11,700, where y = light intensity (RLU) and x = concentration of H(2)O(2) (micromol/L). The detection limit of H(2)O(2) was 5 pmol, and the reproducibility of the H(2)O(2) assay was 2.3% of the coefficient of variation (H(2)O(2) 48 micromol/L, n = 13). The CL method was successfully applied to assay glucose after on-line generation of H(2)O(2) with the immobilized glucose oxidase column, resulting in good reproducibility (CV = 3.3% and 1.0% for the standard glucose and the control serum, respectively).     

Hybridization signal enhancement via long-stranded probe for detection of DNA using aquadichloro (benzimidazole)-copper(II) as hybridization indicator

A simple and sensitive method for electrochemical detection of DNA was designed. This DNA sensor was based on a "sandwich" detection strategy, which involved a long capture probe DNA immobilized on glassy carbon electrodes that flanked both the reference DNA and target DNA. Electrochemical signals were measured by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) using aquadichloro(benzimidazole)-copper(II), Cu(bzim)(H(2)O)Cl(2), as an electroactive indicator. An improving amount of Cu(bzim)(H(2)O)Cl(2) was interacted with the hybrid DNA via the incorporation of a long-probe DNA and a reference DNA in this sensor. As a result of this effect, this sensor design significantly enhanced the sensitivity. With 48-mer probe DNA and 27-mer reference DNA, the proposed method could be used for detection of 21-mer ssDNA ranging from 1.32 x 10(-7) to 2.52 x 10(-6) M with a detection limit of 2.94 x 10(-8) M. Electrochemical DNA biosensors were also developed using the same long-probe sequence as the target sequence with the novel hybridization indicator, Cu(bzim) (H(2)O)Cl(2). The detection limits for the complementary 21-mer target and 27-mer target were 9.52 x 10(-8) M and 5.81 x 10(-8) M, respectively. The results showed that the sensor with long-probe DNA and reference DNA is far more sensitive than that with nonswitch assay.     

A novel nanobiocomposite based glucose biosensor using neutral red functionalized carbon nanotubes

The performance of a new glucose biosensor based on the combination of biocatalytic activity of glucose oxidase (GOx) with the electrocatalytic properties of CNTs and neutral red (NR) for the determination of glucose is described. This sensor is comprised of a multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) conduit functionalized with NR and Nafion (Nf) as a binder and glucose oxidase as a biocatalyst. Neutral red was covalently immobilized on carboxylic acid groups of the CNTs via carbodiimide reaction. The functionalized MWNTs were characterized by microscopic, spectroscopic and thermal methods. The MWNT-NR-GOx-Nf nanobiocomposite was prepared by mixing the GOx solution with NR functionalized CNTs followed by mixing homogeneously with Nafion. The performance of the MWNT-NR-GOx-Nf nanobiocomposite modified electrode was examined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The catalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide liberated from the enzymatic reaction of glucose oxidase upon glucose with NR functionalized CNTs leads to the selective detection of glucose. The excellent electrocatalytic activity and the influence of nanobiocomposite film result in good characteristics such as low potential detection of glucose with a large determination range from 1 x 10(-8) to 1 x 10(-3)M with a detection limit of 3 x 10(-9)M glucose, a short response time (with 4s), good stability and anti-interferent ability. The improved electrocatalytic activity and stability made the MWNT-NR-GOx-Nf nanobiocomposite biosensor system a potential platform to immobilize different enzymes for other bioelectrochemical applications.     

Glucose biosensor based on Au nanoparticles-conductive polyaniline nanocomposite

In this paper, we report a novel glucose biosensor based on composite of Au nanoparticles (NPs)-conductive polyaniline (PANI) nanofibers. Immobilized with glucose oxidase (GOx) and Nafion on the surface of nanocomposite, a sensitive and selective biosensor for glucose was successfully developed by electrochemical oxidation of H2O2. The glucose biosensor shows a linear calibration curve over the range from 1.0x10(-6) to 8.0x10(-4) mol/L, with a slope and detection limit (S/N=3) of 2.3 mA/M and 5.0x10(-7) M, respectively. In addition, the glucose biosensor system indicates excellent reproducibility (less than 5% R.S.D.) and good operational stability (over 2 weeks).     

Combination of aptamer with gold nanoparticles for electrochemical signal amplification: application to sensitive detection of platelet-derived growth factor

In this paper, we report a novel electrochemical detection approach for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) via "sandwich" structure and gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) mediated amplification technique. The "sandwich" structure is fabricated based on the fact that PDGF has two aptamer-binding sites, which makes it possible for one PDGF molecule to connect with two aptamers simultaneously. It is found that this electrochemical system with "sandwich" structure and Au-NPs can significantly amplify the signal of electrochemical probe [Ru(NH(3))(5)Cl](2+) for PDGF detection, and thus increase the detection sensitivity significantly. As a result, this PDGF detection approach obtains an extraordinarily low detection limit of 1 x 10(-14)M for purified samples, 1 x 10(-12)M for contaminated-ridden samples or undiluted blood serum. This detection approach can also exhibit good stability and excellent specificity.     

Determination of nucleic acids based on the quenching effect on resonance light scattering of the Y(III)-1,6-bi(1'-phenyl-3'-methyl-5'-pyrazolone-4'-)hexane-dione system.

Nucleic acids can quench resonance light scattering (RLS) intensity of the Y(III)-1,6-bi(1'-phenyl-3'-methyl-5'-pyrazolone-4'-)hexane-dione(BPMPHD) complex in the pH range 5.0-5.8. Under optimal conditions, there are linear relationships between the quenching of RLS and the concentration of nucleic acids in the range 6.3 x 10(-8)-2.1 x 10(-5) g/mL for fish sperm DNA (fsDNA), 1.2 x 10(-8)-5.0 x 10(-5) g/mL for calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) and 6.0 x 10(-8)-2.0 x 10(-5) g/mL for yeast RNA (yRNA). The detection limits (3 s) of fsDNA, ctDNA and yRNA are 0.7 ng/mL, 3.8 ng/mL and 4.2 ng/mL, respectively.     

Ambient temperature detection of PCR amplicons with a novel sequence-specific nucleic acid lateral flow biosensor

The spherical porous Pd nanoparticle assemblies (NPAs) have been successfully synthesized by starch-assisted chemical reduction of Pd(II) species at room temperature. Such Pd NPAs are not simply used to enlarge the surface area and to promote the electron transfer. They also catalyze the reduction of H(2)O(2) which are regarded as horseradish peroxidase (HRP) substitutes in electron transfer process. By using them as electrocatalysts, as low as 6.8×10(-7) M H(2)O(2) can be detected with a linear range from 1.0×10(-6) to 8.2×10(-4) M. Moreover, through co-immobilization of such Pd NPAs and glucose oxidase (GOx), a sensitive and selective glucose biosensor is developed. The detection principle lies on measuring the increase of cathodic current by co-reduction of dissolved oxygen and the in situ generated H(2)O(2) during the enzymatic reaction. Under optimal conditions, the detection limit is down to 6.1×10(-6) M with a very wide linear range from 4.0×10(-5) to 2.2×10(-2) M. The proposed biosensor shows a fast response, good stability, high selectivity and reproducibility of serum glucose level. It provides a promising strategy to construct fast, sensitive, stable and anti-interferential amperometric biosensors for early diagnosis and prevention of diabetes.     

Biosensor based on polyaniline-Prussian Blue/multi-walled carbon nanotubes hybrid composites

In this work, a novel route for fabrication polyaniline (PANI)-Prussian Blue (PB) hybrid composites is proposed by the spontaneous redox reaction in the FeCl(3)-K(3)[Fe(CN)(6)] and the aniline solution. With the introduction of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), the PANI-PB/MWNTs system shows synergy between the PANI-PB and MWNTs which amplified the H(2)O(2) sensitivity greatly. A linear range from 8 x1 0(-8) to 1 x 10(-5)M and a high sensitivity 508.1 8 microA microM cm(2) for H(2)O(2) detection are obtained. The composites also show good stability in neutral solution. A glucose biosensor was further constructed by immobilizing glucose oxidase (GOD) with Nafion and glutaraldehyde on the electrode surface. The performance factors influencing the resulted biosensor were studied in detail. The biosensor exhibits excellent response performance to glucose with the linear range from 1 to 11 mM and a detection limit of 0.01 mM. Furthermore, the biosensor shows rapid response, high sensitivity, good reproducibility, long-term stability and freedom of interference from other co-existing electroactive species.     

A reagentless optical biosensor based on the intrinsic absorption properties of peroxidase

During the reversible reaction between peroxidase (HRP) and H(2)O(2), several peroxidase intermediate species, showing different molecular absorption spectra, are formed which can be used for H(2)O(2) determination; when H(2)O(2) is generated in a previous enzymatic reaction, the substrate involved in this reaction can also be determined. On this basis, a new family of fully reversible reagentless optical biosensors containing HRP is presented; glucose determination is used as a model. The biosensor (which can be used for at least 6 months and/or more than 750 measurements) is prepared by HRP and glucose oxidase entrapment in a polyacrylamide gel matrix. A mathematical model (in which optical, kinetic and transport aspects are considered) relating the measured absorbance with the substrate concentration is also presented together with a simple methodology for characterization of this kind of biosensor. Regarding the optical model, the Kubelka-Mulk theory of reflectance does not give good results and the biosensors are better described by the Rayleigh theory of polymer solutions. Under working conditions, linear response ranges from 1.5x10(-6) to 3.0x10(-4)M glucose and CV was about 4%. This biosensor has been applied for glucose determination in fruit juices and synthetic serum samples without sample pretreatment.     

Direct electron transfer and enzymatic activity of hemoglobin in a hexagonal mesoporous silica matrix

The direct electrochemistry of hemoglobin (Hb) immobilized on a hexagonal mesoporous silica (HMS)-modified glassy carbon electrode was described. The interaction between Hb and the HMS was investigated using UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, and electrochemical methods. The direct electron transfer of the immobilized Hb exhibited two couples of redox peaks with the formal potentials of -0.037 and -0.232 V in 0.1 M (pH 7.0) PBS, respectively, which corresponded to its two immobilized states. The electrode reactions showed a surface-controlled process with a single proton transfer at the scan rate range from 20 to 200 mV/s. The immobilized Hb retained its biological activity well and displayed an excellent response to the reduction of both hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitrate (NO2-). Its apparent Michaelis-Menten constants for H2O2 and NO2- were 12.3 and 49.3 microM, respectively, showing a good affinity. Based on the immobilization of Hb on the HMS and its direct electrochemistry, two novel biosensors for H2O2 and NO2- were presented. Under optimal conditions, the sensors could be used for the determination of H2O2 ranging from 0.4 to 6.0 microM and NO2- ranging from 0.2 to 3.8 microM. The detection limits were 1.86 x 10(-9) M and 6.11 x 10(-7) M at 3sigma, respectively. HMS provided a good matrix for protein immobilization and biosensor preparation.     

Resonance light scattering technique for the determination of proteins with Congo red and Triton X-100.

Resonance light scattering (RLS) of Congo red (CR) was greatly enhanced by BSA (HSA) in the presence of Triton X-100 (TX-100). In sodium citrate-HCl buffer (pH 2.7-3.0), the enhanced intensity of resonance light scattering at 360 nm was in proportion to the concentration of proteins [corrected] The linear relationship was obtained between the resonance light scattering intensity and proteins in the range 5.0 x 10(-8)-8.0 x 10(-6) g/mL and 1.0 x 10(-9)-6.0 x 10(-6) g/mL for BSA and HSA, respectively. Their detection limits were 1.4 x 10(-8) g/mL and 2.8 x 10(-10) g/mL (S:N = 3), respectively. Synthetic and actual samples were analysed satisfactorily.     

Electrochemical measurement of hydrogen peroxide in plasma: evaluation of freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) and crucian carp (Cyprinus carpio) phagocytes under natural conditions

An electrochemical technique for the real-time detection of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was employed to describe respiratory burst activity (RBA) of phagocytes in plasma which can be used to evaluate the ability of immune system and disease resistance. The method is based upon the electric current changes, by redox reaction on platinum electrode of extracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) released from phagocytes stimulated by the zymosan at 680 mV direct current (d.c.). Compared with the control, activation of respiratory burst by zymosan particles results in a high amperometric response, and a current peak was obtained during the whole monitoring process. The peak current was proved by addition of Cu2+ and other controls, to be the result of intense release of H2O2 from phagocytes. The peak area was calculated and used to evaluate the quantity of effective H2O2, which represents the quantity of H2O2 beyond the clearance of related enzymes in plasma. According to Faraday's law, the phagocytes' ability of prawns to generate effective H2O2 was evaluated from 1.253 x 10(-14) mol/cell to 6.146 x 10(-14) mol/cell, and carp from 1.689 x 10(-15) mol/cell to 7.873 x 10(-15) mol/cell. This method is an acute and quick detection of extracellular effective H2O2 in plasma and reflects the capacity of phagocytes under natural conditions, which could be applied for selecting species and parents with high immunity for breeding in aquaculture.     

Evidence for the localization of hydrogen peroxide-stimulated cyclooxygenase activity in rat brain mitochondria: a possible coupling with monoamine oxidase

The distribution of basal and of H2O2-stimulated cyclooxygenase activity in the primary fractions of rat brain homogenates and in the subfractions of crude mitochondrial fraction was studied. For comparison, the localization of H2O2-generating monoamine oxidase (MAO) as well as that of the mitochondrial marker succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) was also examined. H2O2 was generated by MAO using 5 x 10(-4) M noradrenaline (NA) or 2 x 10(-4) M 2-phenylethylamine (PEA) as substrates, or by 25 micrograms glucose oxidase (GOD) per ml in the presence of 1 mM glucose. For nonstimulated (basal) cyclooxygenase, the relative specific activity (RSA) was high in microsomes (1.79) and in the free mitochondria-containing subfraction of the crude mitochondrial fraction (1.94). Parallel distribution of MAO and H2O2-stimulated cyclooxygenase was observed in all fractions studied in the presence of NA. The highest RSA was found in the purified mitochondria for both enzymes (1.85 for MAO and 1.97 for H2O2-stimulated cyclooxygenase). The enrichment of SDH (RSA = 2.21) indicated a high concentration of mitochondria in this fraction. The same distribution of H2O2-stimulated cyclooxygenase was obtained when, instead of the MAO-NA system, hydrogen peroxide was generated by GOD in the presence of glucose. H2O2 generated by deamination of NA or PEA by MAO, or during the enzymatic oxidation of glucose by GOD, caused a threefold increase in mitochondrial endoperoxide formation. Indomethacin (2 x 10(-4) M), catalase (50 micrograms/ml), and pargyline (2 x 10(-4) M) eliminated the MAO-dependent mitochondrial synthesis of PG endoperoxides. The GOD-dependent cyclooxygenase activity in this fraction was abolished by indomethacin or catalase, but not by pargyline. The results show the existence of a mitochondrial cyclooxygenase in brain tissue. The enzyme is sensitive to H2O2 and produces prostaglandin endoperoxides from an endogenous source of arachidonic acid. The identical localization of H2O2-producing MAO and H2O2-sensitive cyclooxygenase suggests a possible coupling between monoamine and arachidonic acid metabolism.     

A bienzyme channeling glucose sensor with a wide concentration range based on co-entrapment of enzymes in SBA-15 mesopores

A novel bienzyme-channeling sensor was constructed by entrapping glucose oxidase (GOD) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in the mesopores of well-ordered hexagonal mesoporous silica structures (SBA-15). The SBA-15 mesoporous materials accelerated the electron transfer between the entrapped HRP and electrode. Both HRP and GOD retained their catalytic activities in the bienzyme-entrapped SBA-15 film. In presence of glucose the enzymatic reaction of GOD-glucose-dissolved oxygen system generated hydrogen peroxide in the bienzyme-entrapped mesopores, which was immediately reduced at -0.40 V by an electrocatalytic reaction with the HRP entrapped in the same mesopore to lead to a sensitive and fast amperometric response. Thus the bienzyme channeling could be used for the detection of glucose with excellent performance without the addition of any mediator. Optimization of the experimental parameters was performed with regard to pH, operating potential and temperature. The detection limit was down to 2.7 x 10(-7)M with a very wide linear range from 3.0 x 10(-6) to 3.4 x 10(-2)M. The constructed bienzyme channeling provided a strategy for amperometric detection of oxidase substrates by co-entrapping the corresponding oxidase and HRP in the mesoporous materials.     

Direct electrochemistry of myoglobin based on ionic liquid-clay composite films

The direct electron transfer of myoglobin (Mb) was realized by immobilizing Mb onto ionic liquid (1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoraborate, [bmim][BF(4)])-clay composite film modified glassy carbon electrode. A pair of well-defined redox peaks of Mb with a formal potential (E(o)') of -0.297 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) was observed in 0.1M phosphate buffer solution (pH 6.0). The ionic liquid-clay composite film showed good biocompatibility and an obvious promotion capability for the direct electron transfer between Mb and electrode. The electron transfer rate constant (k(s)) of Mb was calculated to be (3.58+/-0.12)s(-1). UV-vis spectrum suggested that Mb retained its native conformation in the ionic liquid-clay system. Basal plane spacing of clay obtained by X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that there was an intercalation-exfoliation-restacking process, in ionic liquid and clay during the drying process of the modification, and the ionic liquid played the key role for promotion of the direct electron transfer between Mb and the ionic liquid-clay composite film modified electrode. The biocatalytic activity of Mb in the composite film was exemplified by the reduction of hydrogen peroxide. Under the optimal conditions, the reduction peak currents of Mb increased linearly with the concentration of H(2)O(2) in the range of 3.90 x 10(-6) to 2.59 x 10(-4)M, with a detection limit of 7.33 x 10(-7)M. The kinetic parameter I(max) and the apparent Michaelis constant (K(m)) for the electrocatalytic reactions were 3.87 x 10(-8)A and 17.6 microM, respectively. The proposed method would be valuable for the construction of a new third-generation H(2)O(2) sensor.     

Hydrogen peroxide biosensor based on microperoxidase-11 entrapped in lipid membrane

A highly catalytic activity microperoxidase-11 (MP-11) biosensor for H(2)O(2) was developed to immobilizing the heme peptide in didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) lipid membrane. The enzyme electrode thus obtained responded to H(2)O(2) without electron mediator or promoter, at a potential of +0.10 V versus Agmid R:AgCl. A linear calibration curve is obtained over the range from 2.0 x 10(-5) to 2.4 x 10(-3) M. The biosensor responds to hydrogen peroxide in 15 s and has a detection limit of 8 x 10(-7) M (S/N=3) Providing a natural environment with lipid membrane for protein immobilization and maintenance of protein functions is a suitable option for the design of biosensors.     

Study of the reaction of proteins with 3-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-4-sulfo-1-naphthalenyl)azo (Cal-Red) by Rayleigh light scattering technique

This is the first report on the determination of proteins with 3-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-4-sulfo-1-naphthalenyl)azo (Cal-Red) by Rayleigh light scattering (RLS). At pH 4.07, the weak RLS of Cal-Red can be enhanced greatly by the addition of proteins. On this basis, the reaction of Cal-Red and proteins was studied. A new quantitative determination method for proteins has been developed. This method is very sensitive (0.45-36.9 microgml(-1) for bovine serum albumen (BSA)), rapid (<2min), simple (one step), and tolerant of most interfering substances. The maximum binding number of Cal-Red to BSA was 143 and the binding constant was 4.1x10(6)mol(-1)L. Four samples of total protein in human serum were determined and the maximum relative error is no more than 3%.     

Protein analysis with tetra-substituted sulfonated cobalt phthalocyanine by the technique of Rayleigh light scattering

This is the first report of cobalt-tetrasulfonatophthalocyanine (CoTSPc) as a probe of Rayleigh light scattering (RLS) to determine proteins at nanogram levels. A highly sensitive method has been developed for the determination of proteins by the light scattering technique on a common spectrofluorimeter, based on the fact that the weak RLS of CoTSPc can be greatly enhanced in the presence of proteins. Under optimum conditions, the linear ranges of the calibration curves were 0.10-34.3 microg x mL(-1) for both human serum albumin and bovine serum albumin, with detection limits of 15.5 and 13.9 ng x mL(-1), respectively. Moreover, there is almost no interference of any amino acids and metal ions. The method has been applied to the direct determination of total proteins in human serum samples, and the results were satisfactory with clinical data provided.     

Detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 using immunomagnetic separation and absorbance measurement

An assay system for detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 was developed based on immunomagnetic separation of the target pathogen from samples and absorbance measurement of p-nitrophenol at 400 nm from p-nitrophenyl phosphate hydrolysis by alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) on the "sandwich" structure complexes (antibodies coated onto micromagnetic beads--E. coli O157:H7-antibodies conjugated with the enzyme) formed on the microbead surface. The effects of immunoreaction time, phosphate buffer concentration, pH and temperature on the immunomagnetic separation of E. coli O157:H7 from samples were determined and the conditions used for the separation were 1-h reaction time, 1.0 x 10(-2) M PBS, pH 8.0 and 33 degrees C in this system. The effects of MgCl(2) concentration, Tris buffer concentration, pH and temperature on the activity of alkaline phosphatase conjugated on the immuno-"sandwich" structure complexes were investigated after immunomagnetic separation of the target pathogen and the conditions used for the enzymatic amplification were 1.0 x 10(-4) M MgCl(2), 1.0 M Tris buffer, pH 8.0, 28 degrees C and 30-min reaction time during the assay. The selectivity of the system was examined and no interference from the other pathogens including Salmonella typhimurium, Campylobacter jejuni and Listeria monocytogenes was observed. Its working range was from 3.2 x 10(2) to 3.2 x 10(4) CFU/ml, and the relative standard deviation was 2.5-9.9%. The total detection time was less than 2 h.     

Chemiluminescence flow biosensor for glucose based on gold nanoparticle-enhanced activities of glucose oxidase and horseradish peroxidase

In this work, a novel chemiluminescence (CL) flow biosensor for glucose was proposed. Glucose oxidase (GOD), horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and gold nanoparticles were immobilized with sol-gel method on the inside surface of the CL flow cell. The CL detection involved enzymatic oxidation of glucose to d-gluconic acid and H(2)O(2), and then the generated H(2)O(2) oxidizing luminol to produce CL emission in the presence of HRP. It was found that gold nanoparticles could remarkably enhance the CL respond of the glucose biosensor. The enhanced effect was closely related to the sizes of gold colloids, and the smaller the size of gold colloids had the higher CL respond. The immobilization condition and the CL condition were studied in detail. The CL emission intensity was linear with glucose concentration in the range of 1.0 x 10(-5)molL(-1) to 1.0 x 10(-3)molL(-1), and the detection limit was 5 x 10(-6)molL(-1) (3sigma). The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant of GOD in gold nanoparticles/sol-gel matrix was evaluated to be 0.3mmolL(-1), which was smaller than that of GOD immobilized in sol-gel matrix without gold nanoparticles. The proposed biosensor exhibited short response time, easy operation, low cost and simple assembly, and the proposed biosensor was successfully applied to the determination of glucose in human serum.