Abstract:
Dry reagent compositions are disclosed for maintaining and preserving enzymatic activity. Also disclosed are test elements incorporating the same and methods of making and using the same for determining the presence or amount of an analyte in a body fluid sample. The dry reagent compositions can include components such as a dehydrogenase, a redox cofactor, an agent capable of eliciting at least one optical change in an optical property of an indicator reagent in the presence of redox equivalents, an indicator reagent, and at least one compatible solute being ectoine or a derivative thereof.