Electrochemical Glucose Biosensing Technologies

Electrochemical glucose biosensing technologies harness the specific interaction between glucose and a biological recognition element at an electrode interface to generate an electrical signal proportional to glucose concentration. These devices traditionally rely on enzymatic catalysis—most commonly glucose oxidase—to convert glucose into gluconolactone and hydrogen peroxide for electrochemical detection. Successive generations have introduced electron mediators, direct electron transfer configurations and non-enzymatic platforms exploiting noble metal and transition-metal nanostructures. Research has expanded beyond blood to alternative bodily fluids such as saliva, sweat and tears, driven by the demand for minimally invasive and continuous monitoring. Advances in nanomaterials, conducting polymers and fabrication techniques have elevated sensitivity, selectivity and stability, while reducing cost and enabling flexible form factors for wearable and point-of-care applications. Despite notable progress, challenges remain in achieving long-term accuracy, biocompatibility and scalability for widespread deployment.

Research from Nature Portfolio

One seminal study introduced a disposable glucose sensor strip fabricated by direct laser engraving of graphene electrodes decorated with pulse-deposited copper nanocubes. This device demonstrated exceptional sensitivity and selectivity within physiological ranges for tears, saliva and sweat, alongside excellent reproducibility, stability and a cost-efficient three-step production process amenable to high-volume manufacturing. A foundational work further described a free-standing composite of nitrogen-doped carbon nanospheres integrated with carbon nanofibres, enabling direct electron transfer of immobilised glucose oxidase without exogenous mediators. This third-generation biosensor achieved high sensitivity, a low micromolar detection limit and a broad linear range, establishing a benchmark for enzyme-based electrochemical platforms utilising tailored carbon architectures.

Electrochemical Glucose Biosensing Technologies publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in electrochemical glucose biosensing technologies across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Electrochemical biosensor: A device converting a biochemical interaction into an electrical signal to quantify analytes.

Glucose oxidase: An enzyme that catalyses the oxidation of glucose to gluconolactone and hydrogen peroxide.

Non-enzymatic sensor: A biosensor that detects glucose directly via surface-mediated electrochemical reactions without biological catalysts.

Direct electron transfer: A configuration enabling electrons to move between an enzyme’s active centre and the electrode without redox mediators.

Amperometry: An electroanalytical technique measuring current at a fixed potential to determine analyte concentration based on redox reactions.

References

1. Recent Advances in Enzymatic and Non-Enzymatic Electrochemical Glucose Sensing. Sensors (2021).
2. Facile and scalable disposable sensor based on laser engraved graphene for electrochemical detection of glucose. Scientific Reports (2016).
3. Direct Electrochemistry of Glucose Oxidase on Novel Free-Standing Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanospheres@Carbon Nanofibers Composite Film. Scientific Reports (2015).
4. Reduced Graphene Oxide and Polyaniline Nanofibers Nanocomposite for the Development of an Amperometric Glucose Biosensor. Sensors (2021).
5. Laser-Induced Graphene-Based Enzymatic Biosensor for Glucose Detection. Polymers (2021).