A time-resolved near-infrared fluorescence assay for glucose: opportunities for trans-dermal sensing

We report a time-resolved near-infrared fluorescence assay for glucose detection that incorporates pulsed diode laser excitation. Reduction in fluorescence resonance energy transfer to a malachite green–Dextran complex from allophycocyanin bound to concanavalin A (ConA) due to displacement of the complex by glucose from ConA provides the basis of the assay. The fluorescence quenching kinetics are analysed and discussed in detail. The change in fluorescence decay kinetics in the presence of glucose is found from dimensionality studies to be brought about by a change in the distribution of malachite green–Dextran acceptors. Glucose concentrations are measured in solution to within ±10% over the range 0–30 mM.