A needle-type optical enzyme sensor system for determining glucose levels in fish blood.

A needle-type biosensor system was developed for rapid and simple determination of glucose levels in fish blood. The sensor comprises a needle-type hollow container (18-gauge needle), immobilized enzyme membrane and optic fiber probe with ruthenium complex. The enzyme membrane was prepared from glucose oxidase, azide-unit pendant water-soluble photopolymer and an ultra-thin dialysis membrane. The optic fiber probe was inserted into the rolled enzyme membrane placed in the needle-type hollow container. The calibration curve was linear for glucose levels in fish plasma. One assay was completed within 3 min. A good reproducibility was observed for 60 times without exchange of the enzyme membrane. The sensor was inserted into the caudal vein of fish to measure blood glucose levels. The sensor responded immediately after insertion and glucose levels could be monitored. Good correlations were observed between values determined using the sensor and conventional methods in the range of 48-157 mg dl(-l) (correlation coefficient, 0.9474).