In one non-limiting aspect, sterilizable reagent materials for diagnostic elements are provided. In other aspects, sterilized elements and techniques for producing the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sterilized element includes a chemical detection reagent including at least one component that is sensitive to ionizing radiation. The sterilized element is also mediator-free and the at least one component sensitive to ionizing radiation is present in a functional form in a proportion of ≥80% based on the total amount of the respective component in the diagnostic element before sterilization. In certain aspects, the at least one component sensitive to ionizing radiation includes one or both of an enzyme and a coenzyme. Other aspects include, but are not limited to, unique methods, techniques, products, systems and devices involving sterilizable reagent materials or sterilized elements.
