The oxidation and photo-induced oxidation of glucose at a copper-dispersed polyaniline film was studied in an alkaline hydroxide solution. It was found that the copper-dispersed polyaniline electrode was capable of oxidizing glucose at potentials between 0.2 and 0.75 V/(Ag\AgCl), with the rate of oxidation being higher than that observed at a bulk copper electrode. On irradiation of the composite with polychromatic UV light, a further increase in the rate of the glucose oxidation reaction was observed. Formate was identified as the main product of the glucose oxidation reaction under both light and dark conditions using H-1 NMR spectrometry. This suggests that illumination does not alter significantly the reaction pathway. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.