METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR DETECTING BETA-HYDROXYBUTYRATE IN BIOLOGICAL FLUIDS

Abstract

Compositions and methods for detecting β-hydroxybutyrate in a biological fluid from a subject in need thereof are disclosed. Also disclosed are compositions and methods of reducing an optical change in a composition for detecting the β-hydroxybutyrate during storage before the composition is exposed to the β-hydroxybutyrate.

Claims

1. A composition for detecting β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), wherein the composition has an optical property that changes upon exposure to BHB, the composition comprising: (a) nitro tetrazolium blue (NZT) or 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride, (b) β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (BHBD), (c) diaphorase, and (d) a redox cofactor, wherein the redox cofactor is 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-p-benzoquinone (coenzyme Q.sub.0).

2. A composition for detecting β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), wherein the composition has an optical property that changes upon exposure to BHB, comprising: (a) nitro tetrazolium blue (NZT) or 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride, (b) β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (BHBD), (c) diaphorase, (d) a redox cofactor, wherein the redox cofactor is 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-p-benzoquinone (coenzyme Q.sub.0) or nicotinamide dinucleotide (NAD), and (e) an inhibitor in an amount effective for reducing a change in the optical property of the composition for at least 6 hours before the composition is exposed to the BHB.

3. The composition of claim 2, wherein the redox cofactor is coenzyme Q.sub.0 and the inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of nanoparticulate anatase TiO.sub.2, nanoparticulate ZnO, nanoparticulate silica, nanoparticulate CaCO.sub.3, nanoparticulate ZrO.sub.2, NaNO.sub.2, Ca(N.sub.3).sub.2, hydroxyectoine, and calcium nitrate.

4. The composition of claim 2, wherein the redox cofactor is coenzyme Q.sub.0 and the inhibitor is nanoparticulate anatase TiO.sub.2.

5. The composition of claim 2, wherein the redox cofactor is NAD and the inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of nanoparticulate ZnO, nanoparticulate ZrO.sub.2, NaNO.sub.2, Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2, and trehalose.

6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the redox cofactor is coenzyme Q.sub.0 and the BHB is in an aqueous sample, the composition further comprising cyclodextrin in an amount effective for solubilizing the coenzyme Q.sub.0 in the aqueous sample.

7. The composition of claim 6, wherein the aqueous sample is a biological fluid.

8. The composition of claim 7, wherein the biological fluid is urine.

9. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition has a water content less than 0.3 wt %.

10. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises an effective amount of a buffer for maintaining a pH above 8.5 when the composition is exposed to an aqueous sample.

11. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is on a carrier.

12. The composition of claim 11, wherein the carrier comprises a porous material.

13. The composition of claim 12, wherein the carrier further comprises an inert water-resistant substrate attached to the porous material.

14. A method of preparing a composition for detecting β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), comprising: (a) mixing nitro tetrazolium blue (NZT) or 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride; β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (BHBD); diaphorase; and a redox cofactor to make a mixture, wherein the redox cofactor is 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-p-benzoquinone (coenzyme Q.sub.0) or nicotinamide dinucleotide (NAD), and (b) adding to the mixture an inhibitor to make a composition having an optical property that changes upon exposure to BHB, wherein a change in the optical property of the composition is reduced for at least 6 hours before the composition is exposed to the BHB.

15. A method for detecting β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in a biological fluid from a subject, comprising: (a) exposing the biological fluid to the composition of claim 1 or a composition prepared according to the method of (i) mixing nitro tetrazolium blue (NZT) or 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride; β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (BHBD); diaphorase; and a redox cofactor to make a mixture, wherein the redox cofactor is 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-p-benzoquinone (coenzyme Q.sub.0) or nicotinamide dinucleotide (NAD), and (ii) adding to the mixture an inhibitor to make a composition having an optical property that changes upon exposure to BHB, wherein a change in the optical property of the composition is reduced for at least 6 hours before the composition is exposed to the BHB, whereby the optical property of the composition is changed; and (b) detecting the change of the optical property in step (a), wherein the detected change indicates the presence of BHB in the biological fluid.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising storing the composition for at least at least 24 hours before step (a).

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the biological fluid is urine.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the BHB is present in the biological fluid in an amount of at least 0.2 mM.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the BHB is present in the biological fluid in an amount of from 0.2 mM to 4 mM.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the biological fluid is urine

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] As disclosed herein, the present invention provides a composition for detecting β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and preparation thereof. The inventors have surprisingly discovered the use of coenzyme Q.sub.0 (ubiquinone-0 or 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone) in a composition for detecting BHB in a biological fluid, for example, urine, based on a change in an optical property of the composition upon exposure to the biological fluid, and the use of an inhibitor for reducing a change in the optical property of a composition for BHB detection comprising coenzyme Q.sub.0 or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) during storage before the BHB detection.

[0028] This invention overcomes the aforementioned obstacles and offers a non-invasive and simple-to-use test to detect BHB levels in urine that may correspond to blood serum BHB levels in the same subject. The invention enables a subject to conveniently monitor his/her BHB level and successfully achieve and maintain nutritional ketosis while eating a ketogenic diet.

[0029] An invention in which urinary BHB is detected has clinical value. The invention may allow for hospital, physician office, and emergency situation testing for the presence of BHB in urine and also may be suitable for in-home self-monitoring by subjects in need of such testing. This method of testing may be non-invasive and may allow for accurate early detection of diabetic ketoacidosis. Early detection of diabetic ketoacidosis and subsequent treatment with hydration and insulin therapy may decrease overall mortality and comorbidity as the disease process of diabetic ketoacidosis progresses.

[0030] The present invention may improve the clinician's ability to more accurately reduce false negatives related to whole blood serum BHB levels after the initial hydration therapy has begun and evaluate the true progression of diabetic ketoacidosis in a subject in need of such monitoring. As urinary BHB levels of the subject decrease with treatment, the composition and methods according to the present invention for detecting BHB in urine may reflect the true improvement of the disease process compared to the current testing protocols which may comprise testing of whole blood serum for BHB levels and/or testing of urine for acetoacetate.

[0031] Generally, the invention provides a composition that undergoes a change in its optical property upon exposure to BHB. Such a change in an optical property may be detected using any conventional technique known in the art. The optical property may be observed as a visual color change, e.g., from a light color to a darker color, or from a nearly white color to a purple color. The optical property may also be measured as ΔE, by the use of a color meter, also referred to as a spectrophotometer. The composition for detecting BHB may further comprise an inhibitor to reduce undesirable change in the optical property (e.g., a visual color change and/or a change in ΔE) during storage before BHB detection.

[0032] A composition for detecting β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is provided. The composition comprises: (a) an indicator reagent; (b) β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (BHBD); (c) diaphorase; and (d) a redox cofactor. The composition has an optical property that changes upon exposure to BHB.

[0033] Indicator reagent: The indicator reagent according to the present invention may be any reagent known in the art that undergoes a change in its optical property upon reduction. Non-limiting examples of such compounds are tetrazolium compounds or salts thereof. Non-limiting examples of indicator reagents include nitro tetrazolium blue, triphenyl tetrazolium blue, tetranitroblue tetrazolium, resazurin, and 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate (TNBT).

[0034] The indicator reagent is present in an effective amount for detecting BHB. The effective amount of the indicator reagent may be, as weight percent of the total dried weight of the composition for detecting BHB, 0.5-10 wt %, 2-9 wt %, 3-8 wt %, 4-7 wt %, 5-6 wt %, 1-6 wt %, 2-7 wt %, or 3-6 wt %.

[0035] β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (BHBD): The source of the BHBD according to the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, the BHBD may be sourced from Alcaligenes or Pseudomonas strains of bacteria, or any other suitable bacteria, mutant sources, or animal source as known in the art.

[0036] The BHBD is present in an effective amount for detecting BHB. The effective amount of the BHBD may depend on the choice and/or amount of the redox cofactor. The effective amount of the BHBD in the dry composition may be, as weight percent of the total dried weight of the composition for detecting BHB, 0.07-2.3 wt %, 0.1-2.2 wt %, 0.5-2.1 wt %, 7-2, wt %, 1-2.3 wt %, 1-2 wt %, or 1.5-2 wt %.

[0037] Diaphorase: The source of the diaphorase according to the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, the diaphorase may be sourced from Clostridium kluyveri or Bacillus stearothermophilus, or any other suitable bacteria as known in the art.

[0038] The diaphorase is present in an effective amount for detecting BHB. The effective amount of the diaphorase may be, in weight percent of the dry weight of the dry composition for detecting BHB, 1.5-3 wt %, 1-2 wt % or 1.75-2.5 wt %.

[0039] Redox cofactors: The redox cofactor according to the present invention may be nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), coenzyme Q.sub.0 or a combination thereof. [0040] NAD: The NAD is present in an effective amount for detecting BHB. The effective amount of the NAD may be, in weight percent of the dry weight of the dry composition for detecting BHB, 10-90 wt %. For example, the effective amount of the NAD may be 50-90 wt %, 60-80 wt %, 60-70 wt % or 85-90 wt %. In an embodiment, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen (NADPH) may be used. [0041] Coenzyme Q.sub.0: The coenzyme Q.sub.0 is present in an effective amount for detecting BHB. The effective amount of the coenzyme Q.sub.0 may be, in weight percent of the dry weight of the dry composition for detecting BHB, 0.01-40 wt %. For example, the effective amount of the coenzyme Q.sub.0 may be, in weight percent of the dry weight of the dry composition for detecting BHB, 0.01-1 wt %, 0.01-0.5 wt %, 10-30 wt %, 1-25 wt %, or 15-30 wt %.

[0042] Coenzyme Q.sub.0 in water with cyclodextrin: Coenzyme Q.sub.0 is not soluble in water or may have limited solubility in water or an aqueous solution, for example, urine, under ambient conditions. This means that until now, coenzyme Q.sub.0 could not feasibly be used as a redox cofactor in an aqueous solution, such a urine. However, the inventors have discovered that the addition of cyclodextrin to the composition for detecting BHB as disclosed herein improves solubility of the coenzyme Q.sub.0 in the composition when exposed to a biological fluid such as urine. The term “cyclodextrin” as used herein refers to α-cyclodextrin (6 glucose subunits), β-cyclodextrin (7 glucose subunits), γ-cyclodextrin (8 glucose subunits), a derivative of any of these three types, or a combination thereof. The cyclodextrin may be present in an effective amount for solubilizing the coenzyme Q.sub.0 in the composition for detecting BHB. The weight ratio of the cyclodextrin to the coenzyme Q.sub.0 may be from 100:1 to 1:100, from 1:50 to 50:1, from 10:1 to 1:10, from 2:9 to 9:2, from 3:8 to 8:2, from 7:1 to 1:7, or from 2:1 to 1:1. Further, the effective amount of the cyclodextrin, in weight percent of the dry weight of the composition for detecting BHB may be 0.1-10 wt %, 1-5 wt %, or 3-4 wt %. The molar ratio of the cyclodextrin to the coenzyme Q.sub.0 may be from 100:1 to 1:100. Non-limiting examples of derivatives of cyclodextrin include: β-cyclodextrin(-OH).sub.19(—ONO.sub.2).sub.2, β-cyclodextrin(-OH).sub.19.2(—OPO.sub.3H).sub.1.8, β-cyclodextrin(-OH).sub.19(—OSO.sub.3H).sub.2, β-CD(-OH).sub.18.5(—O—CH.sub.2—CO.sub.2H).sub.2.5, β-cyclodextrin(-OH).sub.19.3(—O—CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2—SO.sub.3H).sub.1.7, β-cyclodextrin(-OH).sub.18.5(—O—CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2—SO.sub.3H).sub.2.5, β-cyclodextrin(-OH).sub.18.0(—O—CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2—SO.sub.3H).sub.3.0, β-cyclodextrin(-OH).sub.7(—OCH.sub.3).sub.14, β-cyclodextrin(-OCH.sub.3).sub.21, and mixtures thereof.

[0043] The amount of the cyclodextrin in the composition may be adjusted as needed, based on the amount of coenzyme Q.sub.0 in the composition for detecting BHB.

[0044] Optical property: An optical property as referred to herein refers to an optical property of the composition for detecting BHB. The optical property of the composition for detecting BHB may be due to an optical property of the indicator reagent which can be optically detected. Non-limiting examples of such optical properties are light absorption or emission, re-emission, refraction or polarization and properties associated therewith. It will be understood that a change of at least one optical property as used herein, may encompass the detection of the presence of a property which was not detectable before, the detection of the absence of a property which has been detected before and the detection of quantitative changes of a property, i.e. the detection of the change of the signal strength which correlates to the extent of the change of the at least optical property. Optical properties contemplated by the present invention may be color, including color that can be detected visually, or by the use of a color meter that utilizes the CIELAB color space (also referred to as CIE L*a*b*), as defined by the International Commission on Illumination. Optical properties may be detectable spectrophotometrically, for example. Other non-limiting examples of optical properties may be fluorescence, luminescence, or refractometry, for example, a change in refractive index. The optical properties which may change or may be observed according to the present invention may depend on the type and level of the indicator reagent. A change in color, as for instance, from a yellow or white color to a purple color that can be detected visually is contemplated. A change in ΔE measured with a color meter is contemplated.

[0045] Theoretical General Reactions:

[0046] Without being bound by any theory, this invention may involve some general reactions.

[0047] An indicator reagent may be used for detecting β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in a biological fluid. The indicator reagent may have a first optical property in its unreduced form, but upon reduction, may change to a reduced form which may have a different, second optical property. Generally, this overall reaction may be done with two enzymes and a redox cofactor that together, may transfer a hydride (H—) from the BHB to the indicator reagent, thereby reducing the indicator reagent and causing the change in the optical property. A non-limiting example of a suitable indicator reagent is a tetrazolium compound such as nitro tetrazolium blue (NZT). According the present invention, at least one of two different redox coagents (also referred to as redox cofactors) may be used. Reaction Scheme 1, below, shows a theoretical series of reactions that may occur when using NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) as the redox coagent.

[0048] Reaction scheme 1, below, utilizes NAD as a redox cofactor.

##STR00001##

[0049] Reaction scheme 2, below, is similar to reaction scheme 1, but uses coenzyme Q.sub.0 (2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-p-benzoquinone) as the redox coagent. Note that in the scheme below, the coenzyme Q.sub.0 is referred to as CoQzero.

##STR00002##

[0050] In both of these reaction schemes, the first enzyme, β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (BHBD) may move a hydride from the BHB to the redox coagent, e.g., the NAD or the CoQzero, thus forming NADH or CoQzeroH. The diaphorase enzyme may then transfer the hydride from the NADH or the CoQzeroH to the NZT indicator reagent, forming reduced NZT (NZTH), which may have a different optical property than the unreduced NZT. In particular, visually, the NZT may be colorless and the NZTH (i.e., reduced NZT) may be purple. This change in optical property or color may be measured with a color meter, or via spectrophotometry for example and may be expressed as ΔE. The reference value for the ΔE measurement, as used herein, is understood to be the color of a composition for detecting BHB comprising coenzyme Q.sub.0 or NAD, BHBD, NZT, and diaphorase prior to exposure to the BHB.

[0051] This composition may further comprise an inhibitor in an amount effective for reducing a change in the optical property of the composition before the composition is exposed to BHB. The inhibitor may be effective for a predetermined time period, for example, from 1 hour to 5 years, from 6 months to 5 years, from 3 months to 3 years, from 1 month to 2 years, from 2 years to 3 years, from 1 hour to 90 days, from 24 hours to 60 days, from 2 days to 60 days, from 48 hours to 30 days, from 1 hour to 6 hours, from 6 hours to 24 hours, from 1 hour to 48 hours, from 6 hours to 72 hours, from 1 hour to 72 hours, from 12 hours to 1 week, from 2 hours to 48 hours, from 30 days to 90 days, from 60 days to 120 days, or from 6 hours to 2 weeks.

[0052] Inhibitors: Suitable inhibitors for reducing a change in the optical property may be selected from the following: nanoparticulate anatase TiO.sub.2, nanoparticulate rutile TiO.sub.2, nanoparticulate ZnO, nanoparticulate silica, nanoparticulate CaCO.sub.3, nanoparticulate ZrO.sub.2, nanoparticulate MgO, NaNO.sub.2, Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2, hydroxyectoine, calcium nitrate, trehalose, 2-O-alpha-mannosyl-D-glycerate, barium chloride, magnesium chloride, bovine serum albumen, polyethylenimine, polypropylenimine, polyfunctional azridines, glucosylglycerol, glucosylglycerate, diglycerol phosphate, N-γ-acetyldiaminobutyrate, α-hydroxyectoine, ectoine, dithiothreitol, mercaptoethanol, 5× Antigen-Down Conjugate Stabilizer (CS2), alkaline phosphatase, choline chloride, choline acetate, boronic acids such as nitrophenylboronic acid, borates, sorbitol, sucrose, carboxylic acid salts (e.g., sodium citrate, sodium succinate, sodium tartarate, sodium malonate, sodium gluconate), polyethylene glycol, and a combination thereof. The term “nanoparticulate” as used herein refers to particles having a number average diameter in the range from 1 nm to 100 nm, as measured using conventional technique known in the art, for example, laser scattering.

[0053] The inhibitor is present in an effective amount for reducing a change in the optical property of the composition. The effective amount of the inhibitor may range from 0.0001 wt % to 50 wt %, based on the dry weight of the composition for detecting BHB. For example, the effective amount of the inhibitor may be 0.0001-25 wt %, 0.0001-15 wt %, 0.0001-10 wt %, 0.0001-5 wt %, 0.001-0.1 wt %, 0.5-10 wt %, 4-6 wt %, or 0.001-0.05 wt %, based on the dry weight of the composition.

[0054] The composition may be in the form of an aqueous solution or suspension. The composition may be on a carrier and then optionally dried, so as to form, for example, a test strip, or a test kit. The carrier may be a porous material, such as filter paper. The carrier material with the composition may be attached to a water-resistant substrate for ease of handling as well. The composition may optionally comprise a buffer at a level for maintaining the composition at a desirable pH when the composition is exposed to an aqueous solution or suspension, for example, urine.

[0055] Where the redox cofactor is coenzyme Q.sub.0, the composition may further comprise cyclodextrin. The coenzyme Q.sub.0 may be in amount sufficient to solubilize the coenzyme Q.sub.0 in an aqueous solution or suspension, for example, urine.

[0056] In one embodiment, the composition has an optical property that changes upon exposure to BHB. The composition comprises the following: (a) an indicator reagent which may be nitro tetrazolium blue (NZT) or 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride; (b) β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (BHBD); (c) diaphorase; (d) a redox cofactor, which may be 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-p-benzoquinone (coenzyme Q.sub.0) or nicotinamide dinucleotide (NAD); and (e) an inhibitor in an amount effective for reducing a change in the optical property of the composition during storage.

[0057] Storage Conditions:

[0058] The composition for detecting BHB may be stored at a predetermined temperature and/or a predetermined relative humidity for a predetermined time period. For example, the storage temperature may be between 20° C. and 30° C. The storage relative humidity may be 40% to 50%. The predetermined time period may be up to 90 days, three months, one year, 2 years, 3 years or 5 years prior to use for BHB detection. The composition for detecting BHB may be stored at a temperature of 10° C., 11°, 12° C., 13° C., 14° C., 15° C., 16° C., 17° C., 18° C., 19° C., 20° C., 21° C., 22° C., 23° C., 24° C., 25° C., 26° C., 27° C., 28° C., 29° C., 30° C., 31° C., 32° C., 33° C., 34° C., 35° C., 36° C., 37° C., 38° C., 39° C., or 40° C. The composition for detecting BHB may be stored at a temperature between any two of these temperatures, for example, between 10° C. and 40° C. or between 20° C. and 35° C. The range of relative humidity may be from 5-40%, from 10-30%, or from 10-20%.

[0059] Further, the composition for detecting BHB may be stored in the dark. The term “dark” used herein refers to light intensity less than 0.001 lux. For example, the composition for detecting BHB may be stored in a thick, lidded, light impervious cardboard box lined with aluminum foil inside and covered with aluminum foil on the outside to reduce light intensity within the box to be less than 0.0001 lux. The box may then be stored in a BINDER environmental chamber at 50% relative humidity and 22° C.

[0060] The composition for detecting BHB may be stored in the dark at between 10° C. and 40° C. for a period of up to 2 hours, up to 6 hours, up to 12 hours, up to 24 hours, up to 36 hours, up to 48 hours, up to 60 hours, up to 72 hours, up to 96 hours, up to 5 days, up to 6 days, up to 1 week, up to 2 weeks, up to 3 weeks, up to 1 month, up to 2 months, up to 3 months, up to 1 year, up to 2 years, 3 up to years, up to 4 years, or up to 5 years. For example, the composition may be stored in the dark for 1 hour to 90 days, from 24 hours to 60 days, from 2 days to 60 days, from 48 hours to 30 days, from 1 hour to 6 hours, from 6 hours to 24 hours, from 1 hour to 48 hours, from 6 hours to 72 hours, from 1 hour to 72 hours, from 12 hours to 1 week, from 2 hours to 48 hours, from 30 days to 90 days, from 60 days to 120 days, or from 6 hours to 2 weeks.

[0061] The composition for detecting BHB may be dry. The composition for detecting BHB may be dried by removing water or other solvent. As used herein, the term “dried” means that at least 90 wt %, 91 wt %, 92 wt %, 93 wt %, 94 wt %, 95 wt %, 96 wt %, 97 wt %, 98 wt %, 98.5 wt %, 99 wt %, 99.5 wt % or up to 100 wt % of water (or other solvent) in the composition for detecting BHB is removed. As used herein, the term “dry” means that the composition for detecting BHB has a water content of 10 wt % or less. For example, a dry composition for detecting BHB comprises less than 10 wt %, 9 wt %, 8 wt %, 7 wt %, less than 6 wt %, 5 wt %, 4 wt %, 3 wt %, 2 wt %, 1.5 wt %, 1 wt %, or less than 0.5 wt % water.

[0062] The composition for detecting BHB may further comprise an effective amount of a buffer for maintaining a desirable pH when the composition is exposed to an aqueous sample.

[0063] Buffers: Buffers as are known in the art may be used to maintain the pH of the composition for detecting BHB at a desired level, such as 8.5 or above, when the composition for detecting BHB is exposed to an aqueous sample. The composition for detecting BHB may be in the form of an aqueous solution or suspension. The composition for detecting BHB may comprise an effective amount of a buffer for maintaining a pH above 8.5 when the composition is in the form of an aqueous solution or suspension.

[0064] The amount of buffer that may be included may depend on the type of buffer employed and the desired pH. A non-limiting example of suitable buffer is “Tris”, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane in combination with NaOH in an amount effective to render the pH of the composition for detecting BHB at 8.5 or above. Other non-limiting examples of suitable buffers include tricine, hydrazine, glycyglycine, EPPS (4-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazinepropanesulfonic acid), HEPPS (4-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazinepropanesulfonic acid), BICINE (N,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine), TAPS ([tris(hydroxymethyl)methylamino]propanesulfonic acid), and 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol]. The pH of the composition for detecting BHB may be maintained at a basic pH, such as from 7.5 to 9.5, from 7.1 to 9, from 7.1 to 10, from 7.1 to 9, from 7.5 to 9, from 8 to 10, from 7.5 to 9.5, from 8 to 10, from 8 to 9, from 8.2 to 10, from 8.1 to 9.5, or from 8.5 to 9.5.

[0065] Aqueous samples: Non limiting examples of aqueous samples that may contain BHB to be detected by the composition for detecting BHB may be biological fluids such as blood, urine, obtained from a subject in need of testing for BHB. These biological samples may be diluted such as by adding water or a buffer.

[0066] The composition for detecting BHB may be on a carrier.

[0067] Carriers:

[0068] The composition for detecting BHB as disclosed herein may be on a carrier. The purpose may be to form a test strip, such as are known and used in the art, that may conveniently be dipped into or otherwise exposed to a biological fluid that is suspected to comprise BHB. If the composition for detecting BHB on the carrier undergoes a change in an optical property, for example changes from a light color to a dark color, then a user of the test strip would know that the biological sample contains BHB.

[0069] Such a carrier as disclosed herein, may be a porous material, such as filter paper, for example, Whatman filter paper #54 or similar. The composition for detecting BHB may be in the form of an aqueous (or other solvent) solution or suspension which may be applied to the porous carrier material, such as filter paper. The treated carrier material may dried to remove the water (or other solvent). As used herein, “dried” means that at least 90 wt %, at least 91 wt %, at least 92 wt %, at least 93 wt %, at least 94 wt %, at least 95 wt %, at least 96 wt %, at least 97 wt %, at least 98 wt %, at least 98.5 wt %, at least 99 wt %, at least 99.5 wt %, or up to 100 wt % of water in the composition for detecting BHB is removed. In other words, the composition for detecting BHB may comprise less than 10 wt %, less than 9 wt %, less than 8 wt %, less than 7 wt %, less than 6 wt %, less than 5 wt %, less than 4 wt %, less than 3 wt %, less than 2 wt %, less than 1.5 wt %, less than 1 wt %, or less than 0.5 wt % water after being dried.

[0070] In one embodiment, the carrier may further comprise an inert water-resistant substrate attached to a porous material. The inert water-resistant substrate may render the carrier easier to handle. For example, the composition on the carrier would be exposed to BHB in urine after the carrier is dipped into the urine.

[0071] Inert Water-Resistant Substrates:

[0072] Non-limiting examples of such inert water-resistant substrates include plastic sheets such as polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylics, polyesters, polycarbonate, polyvinylchloride, polystyrene and a combination thereof. The carrier material may be attached to the inert water-resistant substrate by, for example, gluing, or stapling, or taping.

[0073] A method of preparing a composition for detecting β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is provided. The method comprises the following steps:

[0074] (a) mixing nitro tetrazolium blue (NZT) or 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride; β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (BHBD); diaphorase; and a redox cofactor to make a mixture, and

[0075] (b) adding to the mixture an inhibitor to make a composition having an optical property that changes upon exposure to BHB. A change in the optical property of the composition is reduced before the composition is exposed to the BHB. The redox cofactor is 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-p-benzoquinone (coenzyme Q.sub.0) or nicotinamide dinucleotide (NAD).

[0076] For each preparation method according to the present invention, a composition for detecting BHB is provided.

[0077] A method for detecting β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in a biological fluid from a subject is disclosed. The method may comprise the following steps: (a) exposing the biological fluid to a composition for detecting BHB according to the present invention such that the optical property of the composition is changed; and (b) detecting the change of the optical property in step (a). The detected change indicates the presence of BHB in the biological fluid.

[0078] The detection method may further comprise storing the composition for detecting BHB before step (a). The composition for detecting BHB may be stored for a predetermined time period, for example, at least 24 hours. The composition may be stored in the dark. The composition may be stored at a predetermined temperature of, for example, between 20° C. and 30° C. The biological fluid may be urine. The BHB may be present in the biological fluid in an amount above a predetermined level of BHB.

[0079] Levels of BHB in a biological fluid: According to the present invention, the level of BHB in the biological fluid may range from 0 mM to 4.0 mM. The amount of BHB in the biological fluid may be from 0.05 mM to 8.0 mM. The amount of BHB in the biological fluid may be from 0.1 mM to 7 mM, from 0.25 mM to 6 mM, from 0.2 mM to 5 mM, from 0.05 mM to 4.0 mM, from 2.0 mM to 4 mM, from 0.5 mM to 5 mM, from 1 mM to 5 mM, from 0.3 mM to 4 mM, from 1.5 mM to 5.5 mM, from 0.3 mM to 4 mM, from 1 mM to 6.0 mM, from 1.0 mM to 3.0 mM, limits inclusive.

[0080] Other Additives:

[0081] The composition for detecting BHB may further comprise other additives as are known in the art. Non-limiting examples of such additives include surfactants, such as nonionic and anionic surfactants.

EXAMPLES

General Test Procedures:

[0082] ΔE Measurement:

[0083] According to the invention as disclosed herein, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) may be detected in a biological fluid by observing an optical change in a composition for detecting BHB. As used herein, the term, optical change may mean a change in a spectrophotometric property, such as ΔE, that may be measured with a color meter. These instruments are known in the art, and generally use a color sensor, for example a photodiode together with on-board or separate software to produce a reading in the CIELAB color space which are the three coordinates: L, a and b, (also referred to as CIE L*a*b*), as defined by the International Commission on Illumination. The L coordinate relates to how light or dark the color is, the a coordinate relates to how red or green the color is, and the b coordinate relates to how blue or yellow the color is. Every color therefore has a unique L*a*b* coordinate. The ΔE values as used herein defined as the difference in the color, measured according the CIELAB color space between a reference, which is a carrier material that does not carry the composition for detecting BHB as disclosed herein, and a carrier material that does carry the composition for detecting BHB as disclosed herein. ΔE may be calculated according to the following formula:

ΔE=√[(L.sub.r−L.sub.m).sup.2+(a.sub.r−a.sub.m).sup.2+(b.sub.r−b.sub.m).sup.2]

[0084] Where: L.sub.r, a.sub.r, and b.sub.r are the L*a*b* coordinates of the reference color and L.sub.m, a.sub.m, and b.sub.m are the L*a*b* coordinates of the measurement color.

Preparation of Test Strips:

[0085] To make a urine test strip that is intended to test for the presence of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in urine, it is necessary to first prepare a reaction mixture of the reagents to be applied to the test strips. Preparation of the reaction mixture is done according to the following procedure. All reagents in each composition for detecting BHB except for the BHBD and diaphorase were mixed ultrasonically at room temperature (approximately 25° C. to approximately 30° C.), and then stored in a dark room for 20 minutes at room temperature. In the darkroom, the BHBD and diaphorase are then added to form the reaction mixture that is applied to the test strips.

[0086] By micropipette, 0.5 microliters of the composition for detecting BHB were then dosed to a 6 mm×6 mm filter paper pad and dried in the dark (in a darkroom) for one hour or for 20 minutes at 40° C. When initially dosed with the composition for detecting BHB, the color of each pad was observed to be white to a pale yellow. It is important to retain a light pad color to provide a strong contrast in color once the test strips are dosed with BHB or human urine containing BHB, i.e. the completed test strips, are dosed with BHB or β-hydroxybutyric acid. Note that in the Examples section that β-hydroxybutyric acid is added to urine and a person having skill in the art will understand that the β-hydroxybutyric acid is a form of BHB, and accordingly, “BHB” in the Examples and throughout this disclosure is understood to refer to any form of β-hydroxybutyrate and therefore also encompasses β-hydroxybutyric acid. Each pad was then affixed with 3M 9969 Diagnostic Microfluidic Adhesive Transfer Medical Tape or Hi-Tech Products HT-187 pressure sensitive adhesive. to a 6 mm×75 mm strip of inert, waterproof material such as polyvinylchloride (PVC), polystyrene, Mylar®, polyester, polycarbonate, acrylic, or vinyl chloride/acetate, for example, to form a test strip.

Determination of Test Strip Color Stability:

[0087] The following procedure was used to determine the relative efficacy of each inhibitor to reduce premature color change of the test strips. Each reaction mixture was dosed on an 18×18 mm pad formed from #54 Whatman filter paper using 9 doses of 5 microliter of the reaction mixture spaced equally across the large pad. For testing purposes the 18×18 mm pad was placed in a polycarbonate or polystyrene Petri dish for testing. The nine doses were all duplicates. The dosing was done at room temperature, approximately 25° C. (20° C.-30° C.) and the large pads were stored in the dark. In order to exclude as much light as possible, the samples were covered in aluminum foil and stored in an opaque cardboard or plastic box. A spectral colorimeter (BYK ColorGuard 2000 Colorimeter by Byk-Gardner, or NIX Pro Color Sensor by Nix Sensor Ltd., or CR-400 Chroma Meter by Konica Minolta) was used to measure the three-dimensional L*a*b* color coordinates of the dosed pad as it changes with time when stored at room temperature in the dark. The L*a*b* color measurements were converted to ΔE to provide a single measurement of color change. The L*a*b* color coordinates and ΔE were measured on a blank undosed filter paper as a control and then compared to the dosed samples. High ΔE values after storage represent a large color change from the control and are undesirable. For maximum visible color change during diagnostic testing with synthetic urine/BHB or human urine/BHB dosing it is desirable that test strips change color as little as possible in storage to maximize color contrast for BHB indication.

[0088] While instrumentation is useful to determine color change with or without BHB dosing, the main reason for a measurable, visual color change is so that instrumentation and equipment is not needed to measure a dosed strip. Accordingly, the subject can discern a visual difference on a dosed strip indicating BHB presence. Visual, subjective ratings of color change differences of a dosed strip as reported herein follow the guideline: 0=no color change; 1=pink to purple; 2=light purple; 3=medium purple; 4=purple; 5=dark purple.

Measurement of Relative Color Change of Test Strips when Exposed to 1-Hydroxybutyric Acid in Synthetic Urine

[0089] When measuring color change with BHB dosing, testing was done on 6 mm×6 mm squares of filter paper that are glued onto a 75 mm vinyl chloride/acetate support. When measuring color stability or color change over time without BHB dosing, testing was done on 18×18 mm squares of filter paper.

[0090] Freshly prepared or aged in the dark samples were then dosed with 0.2, 2.0 or 4.0 mM of β-hydroxybutyric acid in synthetic urine to simulate urine excretions of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). As soon as the samples were dosed, a timer was started to determine 3 minutes passage of time, at which point the samples were rated for color change compared to the change of the comparative examples, as noted in the following tables.

Example 1 (Comparative): Control Sample with No Inhibitor

[0091] The following reagents shown in Table 1 were used for the Example 1 (comparative) control reaction mixture. Note that this mixture is similar that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,762,035.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Example 1 (comparative), control composition for detecting BHB (no inhibitor), NAD as redox coagent Amount Wt % Wt % Ingredient added (aqueous) (dry) 0.1M Tris/NaOH 9.66 gm 96.5 25.1 neutralized to (0.117 gm dry) pH 8.7) NAD (Sigma Aldrich) 0.3 gm 3.0 64.3 NZT (Sigma Aldrich) 0.02 gm 0.2 4.3 Diaphorase 300 U 0.07 1.4 (Worthington or (total = 0.0066 g Sigma Aldrich) BHBD (Creative 2000 U 0.08 1.7 Enzymes) total = 0.008 g BHBD Magnesium Chloride 0.01 gm 0.1 2.2 Surfynol ® 104 0.005 gm 0.05 1.1 surfactant (nonionic surfactant from Evonik)

[0092] NZT is nitro tetrazolium blue, IUPAC name 2-[2-methoxy-4-[3-methoxy-4-[3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyltetrazol-2-ium-2-yl]phenyl]phenyl]-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyltetrazol-2-ium, usually used as the chloride salt, also referred to as Nitro blue tetrazolium chloride.

[0093] BHBD is β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase

[0094] Tris is tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, used as a buffer in conjunction with NaOH to produce the pH of 8.7.

[0095] As described below in Examples a), 1b), 1c), 1d), 1e), and 1f), various inhibitors were added to this Example 1 control reaction mixture to determine the efficacy of the various inhibitors at inhibiting color change of the composition for detecting BHB prior to exposure of the composition for detecting BHB to a sample comprising BHB.

Example 1a) Effectiveness of Nanoparticles as Inhibitors

[0096] The following samples as shown in Table 1 were prepared and applied to 18×18 mm samples of filter paper as described above to test the efficacy of each nanoparticle to inhibit the color change of the pads after 60 hours in the dark, which was in an opaque dark box lined and covered with foil, in a darkroom controlled at 22° C. and 50% relative humidity. The results are shown in Table 2.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Color stability of pads with added nanoparticles as inhibitors to the reaction mixture, 60 hrs. dark, room temperature Sam- Amount of % ple Added inhibitor change ID inhibitor added.sup.1 L a b ΔE ΔE.sup.2 521 Example 1 0 78.8 3.5 −0.6 11.6 — Control (comparative) 522 Nano Anatase 0.72% 88.0 −0.5 2.5 2.8 −76 TiO.sub.2 (invention) 523 Nano Rutile 1.34% 79.6 4.3 −3.4 12.7 +13 TiO.sub.2 (invention) 524 Nano Zinc 1.72% 81.8 2.7 −1.6 9.8 −15 Oxide (invention) 532 Nano silica 3.6% 84.0 3.0 0.5 8.5 −26 (invention) 533 +Nano CaCO.sub.3 2.1% 84.1 2.7 −1.1 8.7 −25 (invention) 534 +Nano 1.6% 85.8 1.7 0.5 6.4 −45 Zirconium Oxide (invention) .sup.1Amount of inhibitor added to reaction mixture in weight % of solid inhibitor on 0.5 g of liquid reaction mixture. .sup.2Compared to the Example 1 control

[0097] The test strips as shown in Table 2 were then exposed to a sample of synthetic urine to which 0.2 mM of β-hydroxybutyric acid was added. The color change of the test strips, assessed visually as described above, relative to the control sample was shown as indicated.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Colorimetric Response to BHB.sup.2 in Urine Amount of Added inhibitor Response with ID inhibitor added.sup.1 0.2 mM BHB 521 Example 1 Control 0 4+ (purple/dark purple) (comparative) 522 +Nano Anatase TiO.sub.2 0.72% 3 (medium purple) (invention) (15-25 nm) 523 +Nano Rutile TiO.sub.2 1.34% 3+ (medium purple/purple) (invention) (5-30 nm) 524 +Nano Zinc Oxide 1.72% 3 (medium purple) (invention) (30-40 nm) 532 +Nano silica 3.6% 5 (dark purple) (invention) (5-35 nm) 533 +Nano CaCO.sub.3 2.1% 4 (purple) (invention) (50 nm) 534 +Nano Zirconium Oxide 1.6% 5 (dark purple) (invention) (45-55 nm) .sup.1Amount of inhibitor added to reaction mixture in weight % of solid inhibitor on 0.5 g of liquid reaction mixture .sup.2BHB = β-hydroxybutyric acid

[0098] The results shown in Tables 2 and 3 indicate that nanoparticles, in particular nanoparticulate titanium dioxide (anatase or rutile form), nanoparticulate silica and nanoparticulate zirconium oxide, can reduce premature color change of a test strip when the test strip is stored at room temperature (approximately 25° C.) in the dark for 60 hrs. It was surprising that the best nanoparticulate for inhibiting color change of the strip is nanoparticulate anatase titanium dioxide because nanoparticulate anatase titanium dioxide normally has very good UV blocking in the presence of light and the color change inhibition in this test occurs in the dark.

Example 1b): Effectiveness of Sodium Nitrite, Calcium Nitrate and Two Levels of Hydroxyectoine as Inhibitors

[0099] The following samples as shown in Tables 4 and 5 were prepared and applied to 18×18 mm pads of filter paper as described above to test the efficacy of each additive to inhibit the color change of the samples after 60 hours in the dark, which was in an opaque dark box lined and covered with foil, in a darkroom controlled at 22° C. and 50% relative humidity. The results are shown in Table 4.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Evaluation of sodium nitrite, calcium nitrate and two levels of hydroxyectoine as inhibitors Amount of ΔE after Added inhibitor 60 Hrs. % change ID inhibitor added.sup.1 RT/Dark ΔE.sup.2 521 Example 1 control 0 11.6 — (comparative) 540 Sodium nitrite 0.023 g 7.8 −15 (invention) (4.6%) 541 Calcium nitrate 0.027 g 0.6 −95 (invention) (5.4%) 542 Hydroxyectoine 200 mM; 0.0013 g 2.1 −82 (invention) (0.27%) 543 Hydroxyectoine 50 mM; 0.00033 g 3.1 −73 (invention) (0.068%)

[0100] The samples were also exposed to synthetic urine having 4.0 mM of added β-hydroxybutyric acid and the color change of each test strip was observed. The results are shown in Table 5.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Colorimetric Response to 4.0 mM BHB.sup.2 in synthetic urine ID Description.sup.1 Amount Response with 4.0 mM BHB 521 Example 1 Control 0 4+ (purple/dark purple) (comparative) 540 Sodium nitrite 0.023 g 4+ (purple/dark purple) (invention) (4.6%) 541 Calcium nitrate 0.027 g 2 (light purple) (invention) (5.4%) 542 Hydroxyectoine 200 mM 2+ (light purple/medium purple) (invention) 0.0013 g (0.27%) 543 Hydroxyectoine 50 mM 2+ (light purple/medium purple) (invention) 0.00033 g (0.068%) .sup.1Amount of inhibitor added to reaction mixture in weight percent of solid inhibitor on 0.5 g of liquid reaction mixture .sup.2BHB = β-hydroxybutyric acid

[0101] The results in Tables 4 and 5 indicate that sodium nitrite, calcium nitrate and hydroxyectoine can inhibit premature color change of a test strip using NAD as the redox cofactor when stored at room temperature in the dark for 60 hours and still indicate the presence of BHB colorimetrically.

Example 1c): Effectiveness of Various Levels of Trehalose as Inhibitors

[0102] Various levels of trehalose were added to the reaction mixture to evaluate the effectiveness of trehalose as an inhibitor and to determine if the trehalose was detrimental to the desired color change of the strips when exposed to a sample of urine with added β-hydroxybutyric acid. The results are shown in Tables 6 and 7.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Color Stability of Test Strips with Trehalose stored for 60 Hrs, room temperature in the dark. Amount of ΔE after Added inhibitor 60 Hrs. % change ID inhibitor added.sup.1 RT/Dark ΔE.sup.2 521 Example 1 0 11.6 — (comparative) Control 527 Trehalose 0.5M 0.0062 g 2.4 −79 (invention) (1.24%) 528 Trehalose 1M 0.0124 g 2.3 −80 (invention) (2.48%) 529 Trehalose 2M 0.025 g 2.6 −78 (invention) (5.96%) 530 Trehalose 3M 0.0374 g 3.1 −73 (invention) (8.44%) .sup.1Amount of inhibitor added to reaction mixture in grams of solid inhibitor on 0.5 g of liquid reaction mixture. Weight percent of solid inhibitor on 0.5 grams reaction mixture is in parenthesis .sup.2Compared to the Example 1 control

[0103] The samples containing trehalose as the inhibitor were each exposed to synthetic urine with 4.0 mM of added β-hydroxybutyric acid and the color change was observed. The results are shown in Table 7.

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Colorimetric Response of Trehalose Strips to BHB/Urine.sup.2 Added Amount of ID inhibitor inhibitor added.sup.1 Response with 4.0 mM BHB 521 Example 1 0 3 (medium purple) Control comparative 527 Trehalose 0.5M; 0.0062 g 3+ (medium purple/purple) (invention) (1.24%) 528 Trehalose 1M; 0.0124 g 3+ (medium purple/purple) (invention) (2.48%) 529 Trehalose 2M; 0.025 g 3 (medium purple) (invention) (5.96%) 530 Trehalose 3M; 0.0374 g 2+ (light purple/medium purple) (invention) (8.44%) .sup.1Amount of inhibitor added to reaction mixture in grams of solid inhibitor on 0.5 g of liquid reaction mixture. Weight percent of solid inhibitor on 0.5 g reaction mixture in parenthesis. .sup.2BHB = β-hydroxybutyric acid in synthetic urine

[0104] The results in Tables 6 and 7 indicate that trehalose can reduce premature color change of a test strip when stored at room temperature in the dark for 60 hours when NAD is used as the redox cofactor.

Example 1d): Effectiveness of Magnesium Chloride and Barium Chloride as Inhibitors

[0105] Since a very low level of MgCl.sub.2 (0.0001 g) was added to the control reaction mixture in Example 1 as shown above, the following experiments were conducted to determine if higher levels of MgCl.sub.2 could act as an inhibitor to the undesired color change in the dark, but not inhibit the desired reaction to effect a color change when exposed β-hydroxybutyric acid in synthetic urine. Thus, a sample of the reaction mixture as above was prepared, but without any MgCl.sub.2. In addition, samples were prepared in which MgCl.sub.2 and BaCl.sub.2 were added to the reaction mixture to evaluate the effectiveness of MgCl.sub.2 and BaCl.sub.2 as inhibitors and to determine if the MgCl.sub.2 and BaCl.sub.2 are detrimental to the desired color change of the strips when exposed to urine with added β-hydroxybutyric acid. The test strips were also exposed to synthetic urine containing 2.0 mM of β-hydroxybutyric acid. The results are shown in Tables 8 and 9.

TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Color Stability with Magnesium chloride compared to Barium chloride ΔE after % ΔE after % Amount 24 Hrs change 72 Hrs change Added inhibitor RT/ ΔE.sup.2 RT, ΔE.sup.2 ID inhibitor added.sup.1 Dark (24 hr) Dark (72 hr) 601 MgCl.sub.2 0.0001 g  6.9 — 13.8 — (comparative) (0.02%)  602 Example 1 0 .sup.  8.1 +17 15.9 +15 (comparative) control 603A BaCL.sub.2 0.007 g 4.4 −36 7.6 −45 (invention) (1.4%) 603B MgCL.sub.2 0.007 g 4.5 −35 6.1 −56 (invention) (1.4%) .sup.1Amount of inhibitor added to reaction mixture in grams of solid inhibitor on 0.5 g of liquid reaction mixture. Weight percent of solid inhibitor on 0.5 grams of reaction mixture is in parenthesis. .sup.2Compared to the Example 1 control

TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 Colorimetric Response to 2.0 mM BHB.sup.2 in synthetic Urine Added Amount of ID inhibitor inhibitor added.sup.1 Response 601   (Control) MgCl.sub.2 0.0001 g (0.02%) 4 (purple) (comparative) 602   Control without 0 5 (dark purple) (comparative) very low level of MgCl.sub.2 603A BaCL.sub.2 0.007 g (1.4%) 4 (purple) (invention) 603B MgCL.sub.2 0.007 g (1.4%) 4 (purple) (invention) .sup.1Amount of inhibitor added to reaction mixture, g of solid inhibitor on 0.5 g of liquid reaction mixture. Weight percent solid inhibitor on 0.5 g reaction mixture in parenthesis. .sup.2BHB = β-hydroxybutyric acid in synthetic urine

[0106] The results in Tables 8 and 9 show that levels of barium chloride and magnesium chloride seventy times higher than the amount of magnesium chloride in the Example 1 control are effective at reducing the color change of the test strip when stored in the dark at room temperature, but do not interfere with the desired color change when the sample is exposed to β-hydroxybutyric acid in synthetic urine.

Example 1e) Effect of Various Levels of Nanoparticulate Anatase Titanium Dioxide as Inhibitor

[0107] In this example, various levels of nanoparticulate anatase titanium dioxide were added to the Example 1 control reaction mixture to determine if the level of the nanoparticulate TiO.sub.2 had inhibited the premature color change of the test strips or pads, without interfering with the desired color change when the strips (pads) were exposed to 2.0 mM β-hydroxybutyric acid in synthetic urine. The results are shown in Tables 10 and 11.

TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 Color Stability with Various amounts of Nanoparticulate Anatase TiO.sub.2 ΔE after % change ID Inhibitor Amount.sup.1 72 Hrs RT, Dark ΔE.sup.2 601   Example 1 — 13.8 — (comparative) 613A Nano Anatase TiO.sub.2 0.33% 13.4 −3 (invention) 613B Nano Anatase TiO.sub.2 0.67% 10.8 −22 (invention) 613C Nano Anatase TiO.sub.2 1.34% 5.2 −62 (invention) .sup.1Amount of inhibitor added to reaction mixture in weight percent of solid inhibitor on 0.5 g of liquid reaction mixture .sup.2Compared to the Example 1 control

TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 11 Colorimetric Response to 2.0 mM BHB.sup.2 in synthetic Urine Amount.sup.1 of ID Inhibitor Inhibitor Response 601 Example 1 0 4 (purple) (comparative) 613A Nano Anatase 0.33% 2 (light purple) (invention) TiO.sub.2 613B Nano Anatase 0.67% 3+ (medium purple/purple) (invention) TiO.sub.2 613C Nano Anatase 1.34% 3 (medium purple) (invention) TiO.sub.2 .sup.1Added to example in Table 2, based on weight percent of solid inhibitor on 0.5 g of liquid reaction mixture. .sup.2BHB = β-hydroxybutyric acid

[0108] The results summarized in Tables 10 and 11 show the minimum level of nanoparticulate anatase titanium dioxide necessary to reduce the color change of the test strip when stored in the dark for 72 hours at room temperature.

Example 1f): Effect of Various Levels of Hydroxyectoine or Calcium Nitrate, or Nanoparticulate Anatase TiO.SUB.2 .as Inhibitors with a Surfactant

[0109] In this example, various levels of hydroxyectoine, or calcium nitrate, or nanoparticulate anatase TiO.sub.2 with a surfactant (Surfynol® 104) were added to the reaction mixture to determine if these materials inhibited the premature color change of the test strips or pads during storage, without interfering with the desired color change when the strips (pads) were exposed to 4.0 mM β-hydroxybutyric acid in synthetic urine. The results are shown in Tables 12 and 13.

TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 12 Color Stability with Added Nano Particles as Inhibitors to Reaction Mixture, After 48 hours in the dark at 20° C.-30° C. % Inhibitor change ID Inhibitor Amount.sup.1 ΔE ΔE.sup.2 660 Control (comparative) 0 12.8 — 661 Hydroxyectoine (invention) 0.0015 g 13.6 +6 (0.01%) 662 Hydroxyectoine (invention) 0.0006 g 14.5 +13 (0.004%) 663 Calcium Nitrate (invention) 0.0027 g 6.3 −51 (0.54%) 664 Nano Anatase TiO.sub.2 + Surfactant 1.34% Nano 6.9 −46 (invention) Anatase (0.002%) surfactant .sup.1Added to Example 1 control reaction mixture, grams of solid inhibitor on 0.5 g of liquid reaction mixture. Weight percent of solid inhibitor on 0.5 g reaction mixture is in parenthesis. .sup.2Compared to the Example 1 control

[0110] The results shown in Table 12 demonstrate that calcium nitrate and nanoparticulate anatase titanium dioxide are effective at reducing a color change of the composition for detecting BHB (without BHB dosing) relative to Example 1 when stored at room temperature in the dark for 48 hours.

TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 13 Colorimetric Response to 4.0 mM BHB.sup.2 in synthetic urine. Amount.sup.1 Inhibitor ID Inhibitor added Response 660 Example 1 Control 0 4 (purple) (comparative) 661 Hydroxyectoine 0.0015 g 3 (medium purple) (invention) (0.01%) 662 Hydroxyectoine 0.0006 g 4 (purple) (invention) (0.004%) 663 Calcium Nitrate 0.0027 g 3 (medium purple) (invention) (0.54%) 664 Nano Anatase TiO.sub.2 + 1.34% Nano 2 (light purple) Surfactant (invention) Anatase (0.002%) surfactant .sup.1Added to Example 1 reaction mixture, grams of solid inhibitor on 0.5 g of liquid reaction mixture. Weight percent of solid inhibitor on 0.5 g reaction mixture is in parenthesis. .sup.2BHB = β-hydroxybutyric acid

[0111] Table 13 demonstrates that that calcium nitrate and nanoparticulate anatase TiO.sub.2 when added as inhibitors of a premature color change provide a colorimetric indication with BHB dosing though lighter in color than example 1.

Example 2: Coenzyme Q.SUB.0 .as Redox Cofactor to Detect β-Hydroxybutyrate in Urine

[0112] The following reaction mixture was used in Tables 14 and 15 as the Example 2 Control reaction mixture.

TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 14 Example 2, control composition for detecting BHB (no inhibitor), Coenzyme Q.sub.0 as redox coagent (invention) Amount Wt % Wt % Ingredient added (aqueous) (dry) 0.1M Tris/NaOH 9.66 gm 98.9 52.1 neutralized to pH 8.7 (0.117 gm dry) Coenzyme Q.sub.0 0.05 g 0.51 22.24 β-cyclodextrin 0.0082 g 0.084 3.6 NZT 0.02 0.210 8.9 Diaphorase 300 Units 0.068 2.93 (Worthington or 0.0066 g Sigma Aldrich) BHBD (Creative 2000 Units 0.082 3.56 Enzymes) 0.008 g Magnesium Chloride 0.01 gm 0.102 4.45 Surfynol ® 104 0.005 g 0.051 2.22 surfactant (nonionic surfactant from Evonik)

[0113] The coenzyme Q.sub.0 was premixed with the β-cyclodextrin. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it appeared that mixing the coenzyme Q.sub.0 with the β-cyclodextrin according to the following procedure, enhanced greatly the solubility of the coenzyme Q.sub.0 in water or in the buffered solution. As described below at Example 3, this procedure appears ineffective to enhance the solubility of coenzyme Q.sub.10.

[0114] Preparation of Coenzyme Q.sub.0 with β-Cyclodextrin:

[0115] First, 0.107 grams of β-cyclodextrin was dissolved in 4.8 grams of the Tris/NaOH buffer solution (pH 8.7). This mixture this heated at 45° C. for 5 minutes and then 0.082 g of coenzyme Q.sub.0 was added. Heating was continued until coenzyme Q.sub.0 was no longer visible as a solid. The coenzyme Q.sub.0/β-cyclodextrin solution was used within 2 hours of making it. Alternatively, 0.0074 grams of coenzyme Q.sub.0 and 0.0481 grams of β-cyclodextrin was mixed with 1.2070 grams water. This mixture was heated at 50° C. for 20 minutes with stirring. This produced a transparent solution with no visible particles. This procedure results in a fully solubilized form of coenzyme Q.sub.0 which is optically transparent and has no visible particles of coenzyme Q.sub.0 in the mixture. It is important that the coenzyme Q.sub.0 mixture is fully soluble so that it may be mixed with other water-soluble ingredients and applied to a paper test strip for further reactions with biological solutes. If the coenzyme Q.sub.0/β-cyclodextrin mixture is not water soluble, it cannot provide a uniform distribution of reactions for the test for BHB in a biological fluid as disclosed herein.

[0116] Then, the Example 2 test strips were prepared as described above for the Example 1 test strips and stored for 24 at room temperature in the dark. As in Example 1, the test strips were stored in a light free box, covered with aluminum foil at a temperature between 20° C. and 30° C. for the indicated periods of time. The ΔE values were measured after storage for 24 hours and are shown below in Table 15.

TABLE-US-00015 TABLE 15 Color Stability of Test Strips with coenzyme Q.sub.0 with Various inhibitors after storage in the dark for 24 hours between 20° C. and 30° C. Inhibitor ID Inhibitor Amount.sup.1 ΔE.sup.2 660 (comparative) Example 1 Control (NAD) 0 12.8 666 (invention) Example 2 Control 0 12.7 (Coenzyme Q.sub.0) 667 (invention) 666 + crosslinker.sup.3 0.01% 19.9 668 (invention) 666 + Nanoparticulate 1.34% 4.9 Anatase TiO.sub.2 669 (invention) 666 + Trehalose 5.96% 22.0 .sup.1Added to Control Example 2 reaction mixture, based on percent actives of total reaction mixture. This is weight percent of solid inhibitor on 0.5 g reaction mixture. .sup.2Versus Example 1 Control .sup.3Polyfunctional azridine crosslinker (Crosslinker ® CX-100, DSM)

[0117] The results shown in Table 15 demonstrate that coenzyme Q.sub.0 in place of NAD for the redox cofactor, combined with nanoparticulate anatase TiO.sub.2 exhibits much less color change, measured as ΔE, in a test strip stored in the dark at room temperature for 24 hours.

[0118] Next, test strip samples prepared as described above were exposed to 2.0 mM β-hydroxybutyric acid in synthetic urine and the color of the strips was then recorded. The results are shown in Table 16.

TABLE-US-00016 TABLE 16 Colorimetric Response to 2.0 mM BHB.sup.2 in synthetic urine Amount.sup.1 Inhibitor ID Inhibitor added Response 660 Example 1 0 4+ (purple/dark purple) (comparative) Control (NAD) 666 Example 2 0 5 (dark purple) (invention) Control (coenzyme Q.sub.0) 667 666 + 0.01% 0.01% 1 (very light purple) (invention) crosslinker.sup.3 668 666 + Nano 1.34% 0.5 (pinkish purple) (invention) Anatase TiO.sub.2 669 666 + Trehalose 5.96% 4 (purple) (invention) .sup.1Amount added to Example 2 control reaction mixture, weight percent of solid inhibitor on 0.5 g reaction mixture .sup.2BHB = β-hydroxybutyric acid, synthetic urine from Carolina Supply. .sup.3polyfunctional azridine crosslinker (Crosslinker ® CX-100, DSM)

[0119] The results shown in Table 16 shows that coenzyme Q.sub.0 is more effective than NAD as a redox cofactor in terms of intensity of a color change of the composition for detecting BHB when the composition for detecting BHB is exposed to BHB.

Example 3 Comparative: Solubility of Coenzyme Q.SUB.10 .and β-Cyclodextrin in Water

[0120] Example 2, above, demonstrates how heating β-cyclodextrin and coenzyme Q.sub.0 in a buffered base results in a clear solution. The same procedure as disclosed above was repeated with β-cyclodextrin and coenzyme Q.sub.10 and the coenzyme Q.sub.10 could not be adequately incorporated in the basic buffer solution. The procedure for solubilizing coenzyme Q1.sub.0 in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2007/0202090 A1 was followed and results are listed below in Table 17. Coenzyme Q.sub.10 and β-cyclodextrin were combined with water in the following molar ratios of coenzyme Q.sub.10 to β-cyclodextrin: 1:1; 1:5; and 1:10. Each solution was heated for 5 hours at 75° C. and then an additional 5 hours at 85° C. The results, in terms of the appearance of the resulting mixtures are tabulated below in Table 17.

TABLE-US-00017 TABLE 17 Appearance of coenzyme Q.sub.10 and β-cyclodextrin mixtures in water after heating for 5 hours at 75° C. and 5 hours at 85° C. Molar Ratio 1:1 1:5 1:10 coenzyme 0.2000 0.0510 0.0436 Q.sub.10 (grams) β-cyclodextrin 0.3005 0.3000 0.6075 (grams) water 2.6000 3.0000 3.0000 (grams) Appearance not transparent; not transparent; not transparent; visible particles visible particles visible particles and sediment and sediment

[0121] Upon cooling the samples shown in Table 17, the undissolved contents of the mixtures settled to the bottom of each container. A portion of this precipitated solid from each sample was removed and then mixed with a large portion of water. These diluted samples each formed a turbid dispersion of particulates that later precipitated to the bottom of each container indicating that the solids were not water soluble.

[0122] Therefore, the mixtures of coenzyme Q.sub.10 with β-cyclodextrin do not appear to form a solution in water, but instead appear to form a dispersion of particles which is unlikely to provide a uniform mixture for reactivity when exposed to BHB in a biological fluid, particularly such a fluid comprising water, e.g., urine. As shown in Table 16, the procedures detailed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2007/0202090 A1 do not appear to adequately disperse, or dissolve coenzyme Q.sub.10 in an aqueous solution. This data clearly demonstrates that coenzyme Q.sub.10 is unlikely to be effective as a redox cofactor in an aqueous reaction, such as would occur when the solution for detecting BHB is exposed to a biological fluid such as urine, for example.

[0123] In some embodiments, the invention herein can be construed as excluding any element or process that does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the composition or process. Additionally, in some embodiments, the invention can be construed as excluding any element or process not specified herein.

[0124] As noted previously, although the invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the invention.

[0125] Within this specification, embodiments have been described in a way which enables a clear and concise specification to be written, but it is intended and will be appreciated that embodiments may be variously combined or separated without departing from the invention. For example, it will be appreciated that all preferred features described herein are applicable to all aspects of the invention described herein.

[0126] While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it will be understood that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the appended claims cover all such variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.