Non-Aqueous Polymeric Systems (NAPS) for Diagnostic Applications

Abstract

Water-borne enzymatic coating based dry chemistries have been used for more than 20 years, especially by diabetics, for self-monitoring of blood glucose. Until recently it has been believed that enzymes work only in water and not organic solvents. Synthesis of a hydroxylated acrylic polymer and the novel concept of dispersing enzymes have enabled us to design non-aqueous coatings. These coating-films gave excellent dose response and dynamic range because of their ability to be ranged by antioxidants. The color signals were independent of the reaction time and the chemistry was thermally stable. Molecular forces and thermodynamical considerations have been used to explain the performance of such dry chemistries.