agent for reducing interference by ascorbic acid in test systems with liquid or dry phase and related procedures.

摘要

The present invention is directed to the elimination of ascorbic acid interference in assay systems, particularly assay systems based upon oxidase-peroxidase coupled reactions. When ascorbic acid is present in a sample, it can act as a reductant thereby interfering with an assay's reagent system. The present invention eliminates this interference by quickly oxidizing any ascorbate thereby preventing ascorbate from acting as an unwanted reductant. The ascorbate is oxidized using a dual oxidant system comprising a water soluble polymer bound to Cu+2 and an organic or inorganic oxidant such as chromate, peroxide, or a N-halo derivative. This invention is surprisingly selective and generally will not itself interfere with the assay's reagent system. Furthermore, the present invention is so fast and efficient that it can be incorporated into a convenient format, such as a conventional "dip-and-read" reagent test strip system.