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Urease reaction rates at low water activity

Space life sciences volume 3, pages 3–11 (1971)Cite this article

Abstract

Hydrolysis of urea by urease takes place in ‘dry’ urea-urease mixture exposed to discrete water vapor pressures from 100% to 20% relative humidity and at 2°C to 70°C. A discontinuity in enzymatic activities is observed at the transition of urea from a solid to a deliquescent solution. Urease is inactivated more readily at higher relative humidities in saturated urea solution than at lower relative humidities where water for urea hydrolysis is adsorbed on enzyme-protein only. Hydrolysis of urea by urease proceeds at a measurable rate in concentrated solutions of urea and of urea hydrolysis products, ammonium carbonate and bicarbonate, in the absence of ionic strength or pH stabilizing agents.

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Author notes

  1. J. Skujiņš

    Present address: Department of Bacteriology and Public Health, Utah State University, 84321, Logan, Utah

Affiliations

  1. Department of Soils and Plant Nutrition, University of California, Berkeley, Calif., USA

    J. Skujiņš & A. D. McLaren

Authors
  1. J. Skujiņš
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  2. A. D. McLaren
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Skujiņš, J., McLaren, A.D. Urease reaction rates at low water activity. Space Life Sciences 3, 3–11 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00924209

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00924209

Keywords

  • Hydrolysis
  • Urea
  • Relative Humidity
  • Water Vapor
  • Bicarbonate