Evaluation of enzyme immobilization methods for paper-based devices--A glucose oxidase study.

Paper-based sensors gained almost explosive attention during the last few years. A large number of systems, often destined to resource limited settings is based on enzymatic reactions. Choice of an adequate immobilization method could significantly prolong the shelf-life of such sensors, especially in applications, where exposure to high temperatures during storage and transport is more than a threat. We are seeking to compare a variety of immobilization methods based on different phenomena (adsorption, entrapment in gel, microencapsulation, covalent linkage), with total of 33 methods tested. Glucose oxidase was used as a model enzyme. Enzymatic activity of immobilized samples was accompanied for a period of 24 weeks considering two sets of samples, one stored in 4 °C and other in ambient temperature.