Colorimetric ethanol analysis method and test device

• US 4,734,360 A
• Filed: 06/26/1984
• Issued: 03/29/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lifescan Incorporated (Duv Holding Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lifescan Incorporated (Duv Holding Corporation)
• Inventors: Phillips, Roger C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tanenholtz, Alvin E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/624,774
• Time in Patent Office: 1,372 Days
• Field of Search: 435/4, 435/25, 435/28, 435/188, 435/189, 435/805, 435/810, 436/169, 436/170, 436/175, 436/176, 422/56, 422/57
• US Class Current: 435/25
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/26 involving oxidoreductase
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/805 Test papers

Abstract

A disposable test strip device for detecting and measuring ethanol in aqueous solutions is disclosed. The test strip includes an inert support pad that contains a stabilized dry form of the enzyme alcohol oxidase, a material having peroxidative activity and an oxygen acceptor that reacts with hydrogen peroxide to give a compound of changed color. The use of this strip to determine ethanol levels colorimetrically is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for determining the concentration of ethanol in the bloodstream of a human who is suspected of having consumed ethanol, which comprises:

(a) reacting saliva of said human with a dry, room-temperature-stable test device comprising an inert support pad containing alcohol oxidase, mannitol present in an amount sufficient to stabilize the alcohol oxidase, a salt that buffers in the range of pH 6-9, a substance having peroxidase activity, and a substance which will react with hydrogen peroxide to give a compound of changed color, whereby a change of color is obtained in the presence of ethanol; and

(b) comparing any color so obtained to a standard to determine the ethanol concentration in the bloodstream of said human.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said test device further comprises a polyamine polyacid metal chelating agent.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said test device comprises alcohol oxidase in intimate admixture with from 300-2500 mg of said mannitol per 1000 enzyme units of alcohol oxidase.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said test device further comprises from 2-50 mg of a polyamine polyacid metal chelating agent per 1000 enzyme units of alcohol oxidase.