Pointe Scientific, Canton, Mich has validated new reagent applications for the quantitative determination of fructosamine for Olympus AU series analyzers.

The fructosamine method is based on the ability of ketoamines to reduce NBT to a formazan dye under alkaline conditions. The rate of formazan development is directly proportional to the fructosamine concentration (mmol/L) when measured at 550nm. The reagent is linear to 8.5mmol/L, and has a reconstituted stability of 30 days refrigerated. 

Fructosamine provides a tighter two- to three-week evaluation in blood glucose control in comparison to hemoglobin A1c, which provides a six- to eight-week window.  Fructosamine is important when bringing diabetic patients into control of their blood sugar levels.