Abstract: A method for the selective determination of sialic acid-carrying glycolipid complexes in blood, in which the serum is diluted with water, then extracted with a water-immiscible organic solvent or solvent mixture to remove neutral lipids, a lipoprotein fraction containing sialic acid-carrying glycolipids is precipitated from the aqueous phase, the precipitated fraction is redissolved, and the sialic acid content of the solution or the amount and quality of the sialic acid-carrying glycolipid are determined by a method known per se. A water-soluble salt of a monovalent, bivalent or trivalent metal other than alkali metal is used as a precipitating agent in an amount corresponding to a final metal ion concentration of 0.005-0.1 mole/l in the mixture, and precipitation is performed at a pH of 1.5 to 8.0.

Abstract: There is provided a method for the determination of a glucose concentration in a whole blood utilizing a biosensor. A correction of the measured glucose concentration for dilution error introduced by the solid component of blood cells is calculated based on the change in glucose concentration measured before and after significant glucose has diffused from blood cells into the buffer used to dilute the sample. Thus, the need to centrifuge blood samples to obtain a cell-free serum sample for glucose determination is eliminated.

Abstract: A variety of conjugated compositions and methods for the detection of an analyte of interest in a fluid sample is provided which relies upon an intramolecular energy transfer between a conjugated fluorophore and a chromophoric light-absorbing ligand for qualitative and quantitative results. The detection methods preferably employ fiber optic sensors in combination with analyte-insensitive fluorophores and analyte-sensitive absorber ligands in conjugated form. The methods and compositions rely upon the ability of the absorbing ligands to absorb energy which is transferred non-radiatively by the fluorophore when in an excited state.

Abstract: A conductive sensor and its use in a diagnostic assay are disclosed. The miniaturized conductive sensor, utilizing a conducting polymer, is used in a diagnostic device to determine the presence or concentration of a predetermined analyte in a liquid test sample, wherein the predetermined analyte, like glucose, is assayed by an oxidase interaction. The interaction between the oxidase and a small amount of the predetermined analyte in the test sample generates, either directly or indirectly, a dopant compound in a reaction zone of the conductive sensor. The dopant compound then migrates to the detection zone of the conductive sensor of the diagnostic device to oxidize the conducting polymer and convert the conducting polymer from an insulating form to a conducting form. The resulting increase in conductivity of the conducting polymer is measured, then the conductivity increase is correlated to the concentration of the predetermined analyte in the test sample.

Abstract: A method for measuring the concentration of a saccharide, conjugated saccharide or polysaccharide of interest using luminescent lifetimes and energy transfer in which an energy transfer donor-acceptor pair is added to a sample to be analyzed, the donor of the donor-acceptor pair being photoluminescent. The acceptor is bound to a carrier, while the donor and any saccharide, conjugated saccharide or polysaccharide of interest present in the sample compete for binding sites on the carrier. The sample is irradiated and the resultant emission detected. Energy transfer occurs between the donors and the acceptors, which produces a detectable lifetime change of the fIuorescence of the donor. The lifetime change is reduced or even eliminated by the competitive binding of a saccharide, conjugated saccharide or polysaccharide of interest to the donor. By measuring the apparent luminescent lifetime, the amount of a saccharide, conjugated saccharide or polysaccharide of interest in the sample can be determined.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of sugars in the water of a steam generating system by using an indicator composition comprised of potassium permanganate and an acetate in an aqueous solution. After a period of time, depending upon the temperature of the sample tested, the color of the sample is observed to determine if sugars are present in the water.

Abstract: The invention provides a nonenzymatic method useful for the semiquantitative determination of glucose, a test composition and test device. Glucose concentration in an aqueous test sample can be determined by preparing a test solution by contacting an aqueous test sample and a dihydroxide component, at an initial pH above 6.5, capable of forming a complex with glucose which complex formation releases a proton, and determining the final pH of the test solution. The invention also provides a self-indicating device format which allows the determination of glucose concentration by merely counting the number of pads which have changed color. No comparison to a color chart is required. The glucose test of the present invention is free of the interferences found in enzymatic glucose tests.

Abstract: A procedure is disclosed for the determination of glucose in a biological liquid, as well as a reagent mixture for use in conjunction with the procedure. The biological liquids concerned are especially blood, blood components, urine and spinal fluid. The procedure is based on a two-phase enzymatic reaction, the first phase of which comprises transforming glucose with the aid of ATP (adenosine-5-triphosphate) and hexokinase into glucose-6-phosphate and the second phase of which comprises transforming glucose-6-phosphate with the aid of NAD and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase into 6-phosphogluconate. ATP, NAD and the enzymes mentioned are included in a suitably buffered reagent mixture, which can be added as a single dose to the glucose-containing liquid sample. The reaction is monitored kinetically by measuring the absorption caused by the NADH produced in the second phase twice within approximately one minute from the initiation of the first reaction phase.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing the glucose content of a blood sample applied to a sorbent for drying is provided. A solution of sodium fluoride or other glycolysis inhibitor is applied to a sorbent. A blood sample for glucose determination is then applied to the sorbent whereupon glycolysis is immediately inhibited. The blood sample may then be dried for shipping without loss of glucose content during the drying period.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of an analyte in a fluid is described along with various components of an apparatus specifically designed to carry out the method. The method involves taking a reflectance reading from one surface of an inert porous matrix impregnated with a reagent that will interact with the analyte to produce a light-absorbing reaction product when the fluid being analyzed is applied to another surface and migrates through the matrix to the surface being read. Reflectance measurements are made at two separate wavelengths in order to eliminate interferences, and a timing circuit is triggered by an initial decrease in reflectance by the wetting of the surface whose reflectance is being measured by the fluid which passes through the inert matrix. Repeatability is insured by a normalization technique performed on the light source before each reading, and an alignment method operated on the reagent strip prior to emplacement on the apparatus.

Abstract: A portable blood glucose monitoring meter that employs an analog circuit in conjunction with a manually rotatable dial that varies the resistance of a potentiometer to locate a null position that balances the measure taken of the blood glucose-induced changes in the chemistries of disposable test strips. The dial supports a replaceable, pre-printed, man-readable calibration disk. The calibration disk displays in man-readable format blood glucose concentrations in milligrams per milliliter calibrated to the specific batch-lot chemistries of the disposable test strips used with the meter. A patient places a replaceable batch-lot calibration disk upon the dial, and inserts a corresponding test strip bearing a drop of capillary blood into the meter. The patient then manually adjusts the dial until prompting arrows indicate a null position. If the dial has rotated past the null position, an opposing arrow will illuminate indicating a need to rotate the dial in the opposite direction.

Abstract: There is provided a method for the determination of a glucose concentration in a whole blood utilizing a biosensor. A correction of the measured glucose concentration for dilution error introduced by the solid component of blood cells is calculated based on the change in glucose concentration measured before and after significant glucose has diffused from blood cells into the buffer used to dilute the sample. Thus, the need to centrifuge blood samples to obtain a cell-free serum sample for glucose determination is eliminated.

Abstract: A general and versatile method for quantitation of a variety of analytes which supplies a directly observable result not requiring instrumentation is disclosed. The method is based on competing enzymic reactions, wherein one of the reactions is capable of forming a directly observable product, which is a colored product. Direct quantitation is obtained by altering the relative amount of competing reaction catalyst with respect to control reaction catalyst. Materials capable of analysis using this method include enzyme substrates, enzymes, immunogens, and specific affinity binding partners.

Abstract: This invention teaches a process for reducing protein matrix effects in assays for serum fructosamine. Blood or blood derived samples are used, and one adds two reagents, one of which reduces interference caused by non-specific reducing substances, the other of which eliminates turbidity. Incubation follows, and then the pH of the sample is adjusted and color forming reagent is added. In one embodiment, the incubation time is only 1-15 minutes. In another embodiment, the first reagent contains peroxidase.

Abstract: Process for the specific determination of the serum fructosamine content in blood or in samples obtained from blood by reaction with an appropriate color reagent and measurement of the color change thereby brought about, in which before the color reaction sample components with a non-specific reducing action and/or causing turbidity are removed and subsequently the color reagent is added at a pH value of from 10 to 12. The sample components are removed by treatment at approximately neutral pH value with a reagent composition comprising at least one enzymatic oxidation agent, optionally together with peroxidase and/or catalase and/or lipase, as well as with at least one SH group-blocking substance. A kit for the specific determination of the serum fructosamine content in blood or samples obtained from blood, comprises said reagent composition, a rebuffering reagent with a buffer which has an alkaline pH value and a color reagent for the detection of fructosamine.

Abstract: Water soluble naturally-occurring and synthetic enhancer substances, generally macromolecular in nature, for example globular proteins that include hydrophobic regions such as bovine serum albumin, and polymeric quaternary ammonium salts such as poly(vinylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride), which have the ability to inhibit light-emitting fluorophores resulting from the decomposition of chemiluminescent compounds from releasing energy through non-light emitting pathways, are disclosed as permitting the stabilization, and hence increasing the light intensity, of such light-emitting fluorophores in aqueous media as compared to the intensity of the light emitted by the same quantities of such fluorophores in aqueous media in the absence of such enhancer substances. Any chemiluminescent enzymatically cleavable 1,2-dioxetane, for example 3-(2'-spiroadamantane)-4-methoxy-(3"-phosphoryloxy)phenyl-1,2-dioxetane disodium salt, can be used.

Abstract: This invention provides a primary standard and/or secondary standards for assay for glycated proteins in samples such as blood. The primary standard is composed of a polymer or copolymer of an amino acid, such as lysine, serine or those listed on table 37 (pages 100-110 of the second edition of Organic Chemistry by Robert Morris and Robert Nielson-Boyd) glycated with a known amount of glucose, preferably .sup.14 C glucose or .sup.3 H glucose, and free of unbound glucose. The preferred secondary standards are composed of glycated native protein per se, or a mixture of a glycated native protein and native protein that has been standardized against a primary standard to give the actual glycated protein value. These primary standards and secondary standards may be packaged and sold as a kit that contains a primary standard and/or a secondary standard and the reagents needed to perform the glycated protein assay.

Abstract: An improved method for determining the approximate consumption rate of alcohol by a human subject includes the steps of using are blood sample from such subject to develop a subject serum panel. Such serum panel includes at least twelve constituents, preferably more. Two of the constituents are HDL and magnesium. The subject blood serum panel is then statistically compared with a reference panel providing categories of rates of alcohol consumption such as light-to-moderate, moderate-to-heavy and very heavy. The reference panel also includes HDL and magnesium as constituents. That category of alcohol consumption which best characterizes such subject is then identified, thereby diagnosing the approximate alcohol consumption rate and, therefore, the presence or absence of probable alcohol abuse. Selenium, copper and/or zinc may also be included as constituents. Reference and subject panels may also be developed to include considerations of gender and ranges of age.

Abstract: The invention provides a nonenzymatic method useful for the semiquantitative determination of glucose, a test composition and test device. Glucose concentration in an aqueous test sample can be determined by preparing a test solution by contacting an aqueous test sample and a dihydroxide component, at an initial pH above 6.5, capable of forming a complex with glucose which complex formation releases a proton, and determining the final pH of the test solution. The invention also provides a self-indicating device format which allows the determination of glucose concentration by merely counting the number of pads which have changed color. No comparison to a color chart is required. The glucose test of the present invention is free of the interferences found in enzymatic glucose tests.

Abstract: For the determination of fructosamine in body fluids a solution containing fructosamine and albumin is used as the standard solution for calibration which standard solution is essentially free of glucose and which has a pH between 5.0 and 6.0 and contains at least 10 mmol/l buffer.

Abstract: A process for the determination of fructosamine in body fluids by the reaction of a sample solution with a color reagent, wherein the sample liquid is mixed with a buffer solution having a pH value of from 9 to 12, a color-forming reagent and uricase, as well as with at least one detergent, and the chronological change of the extinction is measured kinetically in a temperature range of from 20.degree. to 40.degree. C. at the earliest after 5 minutes.

Abstract: A method for the simultaneous determination of glucose and urea in a specimen with a single reagent system. A reagent system containing a reactant for each of glucose and urea to be determined is added to a specimen. The reagent system is reacted with the specimen such that each of glucose and urea react with their respective reactant simultaneously. Each reactant is selected such that it is capable of giving an absorbance band for glucose and urea which permits their simultaneous determination. The change in absorbance or fluorescence of the resulting reaction mixture is monitored at a plurality of wavelengths which are characteristic for each of glucose and urea.

Abstract: A fluorescent optical probe employed for the analysis of the concentration of an analyte (or material to be analyzed) in a fluid, employs a permeable, transparent polymeric matrix in which a fluorophor is immobilized, with the polymeric material being directly exposed to the fluid being analyzed. The composite material of the probe may be made up of a homogeneous matrix of transparent polymer, fluorescent compound, catalyst(s) and reagents(s) and is employed to measure analyte concentration in a fluid in the environment surrounding the material. For analyzing oxygen, the fluorophor may be 9,10-diphenyl anthracene and the polymer matrix may be poly (dimethyl siloxane), or silicone, with the presence of oxygen quenching the fluorescence of 9,10-diphenyl anthracene.

Abstract: The invention relates to a non-serum based control reagent for glucose determination. Rather than using modified serum, the control reagent contains water, glucose, and the viscosity agent polystyrene sulphonate. The control reagent may also contain a buffer, preservatives, surfactants or surface active agents. A method of making the control reagent is also disclosed.

Abstract: A single color determination method of quantization of the amount of fructosamine in a sample such as serum by removing other interfering reducing agents and developing a color with a coloring agent such as tetrazolium salt.

Abstract: Correcting an initial measurement of the concentration of a first water soluble species dissolved in a water-based component of a biological fluid that also includes a second water soluble species and a volume occupying component, the initial measurement having been taken using an original sample of the fluid that had been diluted by an amount of additional aqueous solution to form a diluted sample is disclosed; the concentration of the second water soluble species is measured in an undiluted sample of the biological fluid to obtain a direct concentration and is measured using a diluted sample of the fluid to obtain an indirect concentration, and the initial measurement of concentration of the first species is adjusted based on a combination of the direct and indirect concentration determinations of the second species.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the glucose level in a body fluid uses an apparatus which includes a conjugate of glucose oxidase and a fluorescent dye coated onto an optical fiber in contact with the body fluid, a source of excitation light and a fluorescence emission detector. Glucose is oxidized by oxygen in the body fluid causing a decrease in oxygen concentration at the enzyme. The fluorescent dye is sensitive to oxygen quenching so that, when the oxygen concentration decreases, fluorescence emission increases in direct proportion to the glucose concentration in the fluid.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the glucose level in a body fluid uses an apparatus which includes a conjugate of glucose oxidase with a fluorescent dye coated onto an optical fiber in contact with the body fluid, a source of excitation light and a fluorescence emission detector. Glucose is oxidized by oxygen in the body fluid causing a decrease in oxygen concentration at the enzyme. The fluorescent dye is sensitive to oxygen quenching so that, when the oxygen concentration decreases, fluorescence emission increases in direct proportion to the glucose concentration in the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the detection of redox reactions by introducing a redox reagent system into a test system, wherein a soluble iodate is additionally added to the test system in an amount which is in excess of the highest amount of disturbing reducing agents present in the test system.The present invention also provides a diagnostic agent for the detection of redox reactions containing a redox reagent system, wherein the test system used additionally contains an iodate which is soluble therein in an amount which is in excess of the highest amount of disturbing reducing agents present in the test system.

Abstract: A new and improved test device and method of determining the presence and concentration of fructosamines in a test sample. The test device includes a test pad comprising a carrier matrix incorporating an indicator reagent composition capable of interacting with fructosamines to produce a detectable or measurable response. The carrier matrix of the device includes a bibulous matrix, such as filter paper, or a nonbibulous matrix, such as a polymeric film. In addition, a new and improved indicator reagent composition comprising a dye, such as tetrazolium violet; a suitable buffer; and an accelerator compound is incorporated into the carrier matrix to provide a test pad demonstrating sufficient color resolution and having sufficient sensitivity to fructosamines in a test sample. Therefore, a fast, more accurate and trustworthy fructosamine assay of a liquid test sample, such as whole blood or serum, is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an agent and method for eliminating ascorbate interference in reagent systems, particularly assay systems using oxidase/peroxidase coupled reactions or similar type redox chemistry. The present invention can also be used in reagent systems involving enzyme/substrate reactions in which the substrate is sensitive to reductants such as ascorbate. The agents of this invention comprise water insoluble cerium (IV) compounds.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of an analyte in a fluid is described along with various components of an apparatus specifically designed to carry out the method. The method involves taking a reflectance reading from one surface of an inert porous matrix impregnated with a reagent that will interact with the analyte to produce a light-absorbing reaction product when the fluid being analyzed is applied to another surface and migrates through the matrix to the surface being read. Reflectance measurements are made at two separate wavelengths in order to eliminate interferences, and a timing circuit is triggered by an initial decrease in reflectance by the wetting of the surface whose reflectance is being measured by the fluid which passes through the inert matrix. The method and apparatus are particularly suitable for the measurement of glucose levels in blood without requiring separation of red blood cells from serum or plasma.

Abstract: A method for measuring the concentration of low molecular weight saccharides in a liquid by placing the liquid in contact with one side of a membrane which allows saccharides to pass through, but not polysaccharides. A detecting liquid containing polysaccharides is placed in contact with the other side of the membrane. The detecting liquid is also in contact with a ligand which has a higher affinity for the saccharides than for the polysaccharides. The concentration of saccharides is calculated from the measured change in the concentration of polysaccharides in the detecting liquid. A sensor for measuring the concentration of low molecular weight saccharides based on the same method is also described.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with the use of aniline derivatives of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or a --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --X radical, in which n is a whole number of from 1 to 3, X is H, OH, NH.sub.2, CH.sub.3 CONH, CH.sub.3 SO.sub.2 NH, COOH, SO.sub.3 H or --ArSO.sub.3 H, Ar being an optionally substituted arylene radical, m is a whole number of from 2 to 4, R.sup.3 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl radical containing up to 3 carbon atoms, OCH.sub.3, CH.sub.3 CONH, COOH or SO.sub.3 H and R.sup.4 is a hydrogen, chlorine or bromine atom or a carboxylic acid or sulphonic acid group, as coupling components in oxidative color formation reactions.The present invention also provides an agent for the analytical determination of oxidizing substances by oxidative color coupling which, as coupling component, contains at least one compound of general formula (I).

Abstract: A multilayer chemical analytical element is employable in quantitative analysis of analyte in a biological fluid such as blood. The element consists of a porous spreading layer, a light-blocking layer and a reagent layer on a water-impermeable light-transmissive support in order. The light-blocking layer contains a titanium dioxide fine powder with no provision of aluminum oxide compound or silicon oxide.

Abstract: The precision in reflectance or absorption measurements used to determine the presence and concentration of a component in an assay liquid is unexpectedly increased to essentially eliminate the variability of different reactant carriers and variability in reflectance or absorption instruments by including, either within the reactant carrier or within the assay liquid sample, in addition to a primary color forming or color changing indicator, a secondary inert colorant compound or dye having a light absorption wavelength peak separated from a light absorption wavelength peak of the primary indicator or chromogen by at least 80 nm. To achieve the full advantage of the present invention, the colorant material or marker should be inert to the reactant system in the carrier and should be inert to the assay liquid to provide a light reflectance or light absorption response essentially distinct from the light reflectance response of the primary chromogen to compensate for measurement variability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the detection of redox reactions by introducing a redox reagent system into a test system, wherein a soluble iodate is additionally added to the test system in an amount which is in excess of the highest amount of disturbing reducing agents present in the test system.The present invention also provides a diagnostic agent for the detection of redox reactions containing a redox reagent system, wherein the test system used additionally contains an iodate which is soluble therein in an amount which is in excess of the highest amount of disturbing reducing agents present in the test system.

Abstract: An improved method and reagents are disclosed for determining a ligand in an assay solution containing the ligand, a reagent system and a luminescent compounds, wherein the intensity of the light emitted by the assay solution is related to the change in the transmittive properties of the assay solution produced by the interaction of the ligand to be determined and a reagent system capable of producing a change in the transmittive properties of the assay solution in the presence of the ligand.

Abstract: A blood glucose monitor which is particularly applicable for use as an implant for controlling an insulin pump, or as a portable device for use by a diabetic for home blood glucose monitoring. The glucose monitor measures the glucose level of blood by utilizing a refractometer which measures the index of refraction of blood adjacent to an interface with a transparent surface of the refractometer, by directing light at the interface to measure the index of refraction of the blood by the amount of radiation reflected by the interface, particularly light incident near the critical angle. In a preferred embodiment, polarized light is directed against an interface in an implant between a transparent material and the blood. As the glucose concentration in the blood changes, its index of refraction changes, as does the intensity of light reflected from the interface.

Abstract: A method for testing skin for presence of moisturizing substances is provided which method includes the steps of applying to the skin a moisturizer formulation which includes protein, urea and/or glucose and/or other reducing sugar such as fructose all of which bind with water and form a film or coating on the skin which inhibits moisture loss from the skin, and subsequently testing the skin for the presence of protein, urea and/or glucose and/or other reducing sugar remaining on the skin which is directly correlated to the amount of moisturizer formulation remaining on the skin. When it is determined through the testing that there has been at least a predetermined loss of protein, urea and/or glucose or other reducing sugar, additional moisturizer is then applied to the skin.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing the test device and method of determining the presence and relative concentration of a component in a test sample. The device includes a carrier matrix incorporated with a reactant system capable of interacting with a sample component to produce a detectable response. For home use, the reactant system produces a visibly detectable response. The carrier matrix of the device comprises a new and improved whole blood compatible, glucose-permeable strip or layer of a polymerizable silicone material. A reactant system is homogeneously mixed into the polymerizable carrier matrix prior to complete curing of the matrix, and the matrix then is cured to hold the reactant system homogeneously throughout the carrier matrix in a known concentration while maintaining matrix penetrability of the predetermined component after complete curing of the carrier matrix.

Abstract: A method for generating a series of digital responses to the presence of a given concentration of analyte in a test sample is described. The responses are obtained by providing varying levels of components of a competing reaction with constant levels of components of a control reaction. The pattern of digital responses permits a direct reading of the level of analyte in the test sample. Analytes may be either substrates for enzyme reactions, or may be, themselves, enzymes.

Abstract: Aminoglycosides and aminoglycoside-aminocyclitols which have been oxygen-radical activated show a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity. The activated compounds are able to penetrate the cell membranes of bacteria and show substantially enhanced activity as compared to the parent unactivated compound.

Abstract: The determination of fructosamine levels in at least part of a blood sample for use in detecting diabetes in patients or deciding treatment levels is effected by controlling the temperature and pH of the sample, adding a coloring agent such as a nitro-blue tetrazolium and after a first delay in time taking a first color measurment at a predetermined wavelength and after a second delay in time taking a second color measurement at the predetermined wavelength, then comparing any resultant change between the first and second color measurements with those of standard solutions, the selected timing delays, wavelength, coloring agent and pH conditions being such that any change of color in the coloring agent between the first and second color measurements is caused predominantly by the glucose in the sample that is reacted with an amine group of protein and has undergone a molecular rearrangement to form fructosamine and not materially by any non-specific reducing substance which may be present in the sample.

Abstract: The determination of fructosamine levels in at least part of a blood sample for use in detecting diabetes in patients or deciding treatment levels is effected by controlling the temperature and pH of the sample, adding a coloring agent such as a nitro-blue tetrazolium and after a first delay in time taking a first color measurement at a predetermined wavelength and after a second delay in time taking a second color measurement at the predetermined wavelength, then comparing any resultant change between the first and second color measurements with those of standard solutions, the selected timing delays, wavelength, coloring agent and pH conditions being such that any change of color in the coloring agent between the first and second color measurements is caused predominantly by the glucose in the sample that is reacted with an amine group of protein and has undergone a molecular rearrangement to form fructosamine and not materially by any non-specific reducing substance which may be present in the sample.

Abstract: A novel method of determining the portion of a given dairy cow feedstuff which is attributable to non-structural carbohydrates is disclosed. The method includes the steps of analytically determining the percentages of crude protein, lipid and ash in the dry matter concentration of a first feed sample, and in the neutral detergent fiber which has been separated from the soluble matter of a second sample of the same feed, and subtracting the amounts of crude protein, lipid and ash in the neutral detergent fiber from the respective amounts of the same substances in the original sample. The three difference figures are totaled and subtracted from the percentage of the second sample represented by neutral detergent solubles, i.e., 100 minus neutral detergent fiber, thereby providing an accurate indication of the percentage of non-structural carbohydrate in the feedstuff.

Abstract: The present invention provides stabilized compositions of tetrazolium salts for analytical purposes, wherein they contain 1 to 10 moles of a complex-forming acid which is soluble in polar solvents per mole of tetrazolium salt.The present invention also provides a process for the detection of reducing materials, wherein one of the above stabilized compositions is added to a test batch.

Abstract: A novel enzyme of bilirubin oxidase produced by a genus Myrothecium or genus Coprinus origin microorganism and a conventional enzyme of laccase are found, in the presence of a specific additive compound, e.g. a surface active agent, aromatic carboxylic acid, sulfa drug or protease, to oxidize both conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin in biological fluid to biliverdin without formation of hydrogen peroxide, such that in the case of conventional enzymatic methods of the quantitative determination of glucose, cholesterol, neutral fats, free fatty acids, phospholipids or uric acid all existing together with bilirubin in biological fluid, the usual interference with such determination, as otherwise caused by bilirubin coexisting in such fluid, can be prevented by adding such a bilirubin oxidase or laccase together with such a specific additive compound to the determinative reaction system.

Abstract: A method is described for the amperometric determination of the concentration in a biological sample of a constituent which is a substrate for an oxidase enzyme by (1) catalyzing the substrate with the enzyme, thereby consuming O.sub.2 and producing H.sub.2 O.sub.2 and (2) measuring the O.sub.2 consumption or H.sub.2 O.sub.2 production by means of an inert metal indicator electrode intimately coated with a thin film of a perfluorosulfonic acid polymer.A reaction chamber is described which provides means for contacting the sample with the enzyme and means for making amperometric measurements utilizing inert metal indicator electrodes coated with a thin film of a perfluorosulfonic acid polymer.

Abstract: A whole blood diluting solution for analyzing quantitatively whole blood (even when it contains a subject component in an abnormally high quantity, or it is used as a sample after a several-hour hapse from blood-gathering) by supplying a given volume of whole blood sample in the form of a diluted solution to a dry analysis material, which has at least one porous layer side, with the diluting solution containing a water-insoluble dispersed phase (made up of, e.g., macromolecular substances), preferably in an emulsified or suspended condition isotonic to whole blood.