Modelling and simulation of a diffusion limited glucose biosensor

A mathematical model for an amperometric enzyme sensor is described as a tool to design glucose biosensors, operating in a diffusion limited regimen. This kind of enzyme electrode really comprises a miniature reactor system rather than a classical form of transducer. The equations constituting the model are obtained taking into account both the diffusion process and the enzymatic reaction in the general (not pseudo-stationary) case. The model is numerically integrated in order to obtain the time behaviour of the electrode current. The Michaelis-Menten apparent constant (K-m app) of the whole system is obtained from the simulation and compared with that computed for a bulk system.