Optimized biosensor for whole blood measurements using a new cellulose based membrane.

We used bacterial cellulose membranes as outer membranes for glucose sensors based upon amperometric detection of glucose oxidase reaction products. We found a long-term stability in 1:10 diluted blood of about 200 h. In comparison a Cuprophan membrane was stable for only 30 h under the same conditions. Comparing the two membranes in undiluted human blood, a similar trend was found in the long-term stability; Cuprophan was stable for only 3-4 h and the glucose sensor with the bacterial cellulose membrane was stable for more than 24 h. In addition, the measuring range of the glucose sensor could be extended up to 170 mM glucose by treating the bacterial cellulose membrane with a polyamide.