The enzyme glucose oxidase isolated from the mold penicillium notatum catalyzes the oxidation of β-d-glucose to d-glucono-δ-lactone. this enzyme is highly specific for the β anomer of glucose and does not affect the α anomer. in spite of this specificity, the reaction catalyzed by glucose oxidase is commonly used in a clinical assay for total blood glucose –that is, for solutions consisting of a mixture of β-d-glucose and α-d-glucose. what makes it possible for this test to measure total blood glucose?