Importance

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Abstract

A method for measuring the level of glucose in animal body fluids such as blood and urine, comprises contacting the body fluid with a glucose indicator comprising a reversible complex of a carbohydrate component, a binding macromolecular component, and an indicator element bound to one of the components, and maintaining the body fluid in contact with the indicator for a period of time sufficient to permit any glucose present in the body fluid to displace the carbohydrate component in the complex, and to thereby release the indicator element to signify the presence of glucose. Preferably, the macromolecular component comprises one or more lectins, and the carbohydrate component may be one or more of the sugars for which testing is desired. The indicator element may be a dye or a color-forming radical, associated with either the lectin or the carbohydrate. The glucose indicator may be prepared in strip form with either the lectin or the carbohydrate bound to an inert, insoluble substrate provided in kit form with a color chart keyed to identify specific sugars or concentrations thereof in the body fluid.

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First Claim