The use of lectins immobilized on piezoelectric surface wave devices as a carbohydrate analyzer

A system for accurate and precise measurements of carbohydrate-containing compound(s) in a sample is provided. The system uses piezoelectric surface wave sample devices which have a receptor layer containing lectins, lectin subunits or lectin analogs which have been selected because they are complementary to and have affinity for the carbohydrate-containing compound(s) to be measured. At least one piezoelectric surface wave reference device is also used to account for interferences. The measurement instrument correlates the data from the sample and reference devices and provides data on the presence and/or amount of carbohydrate-containing compound in the sample.