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How to Measure the Concentration of Glucose

Glucose is the most common carbohydrate. In plants, it is synthesized by chlorophyll during photosynthesis, when plants convert light into energy. Glucose is then converted to starch and stored. In animals and humans, glucose is found in the blood and is also used for energy. In humans, it circulates in the blood at a concentration of 65 mg to 110 mg per mL of blood. Glucose comes from food, and the levels of glucose in blood are controlled by insulin.

Things You'll Need

Glucose test strips
Liquid measuring cup
Measuring spoons
Foods and juices to test
Stopwatch or clock with a second hand

Instructions

- 1
  Pour a small amount of liquid that you plan to test into a cup. If you want to test viscous substances such as honey or peanut butter, dilute them in water before testing. For instance, use 1 tablespoon of honey to 5 ounces of water.
- 2
  Dip the test strip into the liquid. Start the stopwatch or watch the second hand on the clock as soon as you dip the test strip. Keep the test strip in the liquid for the amount of time indicated in the test strip directions.
- 3
  Compare the color of the test strip to the color chart on side of the test strip box. The Bayer Diastix brand of test strips gives the following concentrations: 0.1 percent, 0.25 percent, 0.5 percent, 1 percent and 2 percent. To figure out the actual percentage of glucose for the samples showing greater than 2 percent, dilute the sample with water to bring the glucose level down within the range of the test strips. For example, add 1 tablespoon of juice to 4.5 ounces of water to make a 5 ounce dilution with a ratio of 1 to 10. (Two tablespoons equal an ounce.) If the concentration has 1 percent glucose, then the glucose concentration is 10 percent because it was diluted 1 part in 10.
- 4
  Repeat steps for all other liquids.

Nature