Study of the dielectric function of aqueous solutions of glucose and albumin by THz time-domain spectroscopy

We report a study of aqueous solutions of glucose and bovine serum albumin using THz time-domain spectroscopy. To describe the permittivity of the solutions of these substances, we use a simplified model being applicable in the frequency range of 0.05 – 2.7 THz. On the assumption that most of the water molecules become bound at high concentrations of glucose and protein in the solution, the changes in water characteristics are investigated. To improve the reliability of the results, the measurements are performed by two independent methods: the method of attenuated total internal reflection and the transmission method. Combination of the results obtained by these two methods allows expanding the spectral range towards lower frequencies.