Enzyme Chemistry: GOX vs. GDH-FAD vs. GDH-PQQ

The enzyme chemistry within diabetic test strips dictates the system's accuracy regarding Oxygen and Non-Glucose Sugars.

1. Glucose Oxidase (GOX): The traditional enzyme. It is highly specific to glucose (no maltose interference) but is sensitive to blood oxygen levels. Variations in oxygen (e.g., COPD, altitude) can skew results, necessitating complex algorithms to compensate.

2. GDH-PQQ: Introduced to solve the oxygen problem, this chemistry caused a major safety crisis. It cross-reacts with Maltose (found in peritoneal dialysis solutions like Icodextrin), leading to falsely elevated readings and fatal insulin overdoses. The FDA issued warnings in 2009, forcing a market shift.

3. GDH-FAD & Mut. Q-GDH: The modern standards. GDH-FAD (used by Ascensia and many generics) and Mut. Q-GDH (Roche) offer the "best of both worlds": they are independent of blood oxygen levels and do not react with maltose, ensuring safety for dialysis patients and accuracy across diverse environments.

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Enzyme Chemistry in [Diabetic Test Strips](/sell-diabetic-supplies)

Diabetic test strips rely on enzyme chemistry for accuracy. Oxygen and non-glucose sugars significantly impact results.

Glucose Oxidase (GOX)

Glucose oxidase is highly specific to glucose.
It is sensitive to blood oxygen levels, which can skew results.
Variations in oxygen levels require complex algorithms to compensate.

GDH-PQQ

GDH-PQQ was introduced to solve oxygen issues.
However, it cross-reacts with maltose, leading to falsely elevated readings.
This caused fatal insulin overdoses, prompting FDA warnings in 2009 [^FDA2009].

GDH-FAD & Mut. Q-GDH

Modern enzymes, GDH-FAD and Mut. Q-GDH, offer improved performance.
They are independent of blood oxygen levels and do not react with maltose.
These enzymes ensure safety for dialysis patients and accuracy across diverse environments.

References

FDA Public Health Notification: Potentially Fatal Errors with GDH-PQQ Glucose Monitoring TechnologySource
History of Diabetes Monitoring 1954-2013 - Journal of Diabetes Science and TechnologySource

Enzyme Chemistry: GOX vs. GDH-FAD vs. GDH-PQQ

Enzyme Chemistry in [Diabetic Test Strips](/sell-diabetic-supplies)

Glucose Oxidase (GOX)

GDH-PQQ

GDH-FAD & Mut. Q-GDH

References

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