Clinistrip
Encyclopedia
A clinistrip is a urine test strip
to measure levels of glucose
in urine
for diabetics. The small plastic strip has glucose oxidase
and an organic
dye
on one end. The enzyme
oxidizes glucose to gluconic acid
with the formation of hydrogen peroxide
. The hydrogen peroxide reacts with dye to produce a blue color. Each color corresponds to a specific level of glucose.
It is also known as CLINISTIX; another brand name is Diastix. These are specific clinical sticks for the detection of glucose only and no other sugar as they consist of a section that contains glucose oxidase that has been dried onto the paper pad. This is similar to the glucose oxidase assay as the glucose in the urine, once the stick has been dipped into the urine, is oxidised to yield gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide. The enzyme peroxidise is also present on the pad that utilises the hydrogen peroxide produced to oxidise a colour dye that results in a colour change. The intensity of the colour change on the pad reflects the amount of glucose present in the urine.
Urine test strip
A urine test strip or dipstick is a basic diagnostic instrument used to determine pathological changes in the urine in standard urinalysis. A standard urine test strip may comprise up to 10 different chemical pads or reagents which react when immersed in, and then removed from, a urine sample....
to measure levels of glucose
Glucose
Glucose is a simple sugar and an important carbohydrate in biology. Cells use it as the primary source of energy and a metabolic intermediate...
in urine
Urine
Urine is a typically sterile liquid by-product of the body that is secreted by the kidneys through a process called urination and excreted through the urethra. Cellular metabolism generates numerous by-products, many rich in nitrogen, that require elimination from the bloodstream...
for diabetics. The small plastic strip has glucose oxidase
Glucose oxidase
The glucose oxidase enzyme is an oxido-reductase that catalyses the oxidation of glucose to hydrogen peroxide and D-glucono-δ-lactone. In cells, it aids in breaking the sugar down into its metabolites....
and an organic
Organic compound
An organic compound is any member of a large class of gaseous, liquid, or solid chemical compounds whose molecules contain carbon. For historical reasons discussed below, a few types of carbon-containing compounds such as carbides, carbonates, simple oxides of carbon, and cyanides, as well as the...
dye
Dye
A dye is a colored substance that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is being applied. The dye is generally applied in an aqueous solution, and requires a mordant to improve the fastness of the dye on the fiber....
on one end. The enzyme
Enzyme
Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions. In enzymatic reactions, the molecules at the beginning of the process, called substrates, are converted into different molecules, called products. Almost all chemical reactions in a biological cell need enzymes in order to occur at rates...
oxidizes glucose to gluconic acid
Gluconic acid
Gluconic acid is an organic compound with molecular formula C6H12O7 and condensed structural formula HOCH24COOH. It is one of the 16 stereoisomers of 2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexanoic acid....
with the formation of hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is the simplest peroxide and an oxidizer. Hydrogen peroxide is a clear liquid, slightly more viscous than water. In dilute solution, it appears colorless. With its oxidizing properties, hydrogen peroxide is often used as a bleach or cleaning agent...
. The hydrogen peroxide reacts with dye to produce a blue color. Each color corresponds to a specific level of glucose.
It is also known as CLINISTIX; another brand name is Diastix. These are specific clinical sticks for the detection of glucose only and no other sugar as they consist of a section that contains glucose oxidase that has been dried onto the paper pad. This is similar to the glucose oxidase assay as the glucose in the urine, once the stick has been dipped into the urine, is oxidised to yield gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide. The enzyme peroxidise is also present on the pad that utilises the hydrogen peroxide produced to oxidise a colour dye that results in a colour change. The intensity of the colour change on the pad reflects the amount of glucose present in the urine.