 Urease, an enzyme produced by some microorganisms,

attacks the nitrogen and carbon bond in aminde

compounds and forms the alkaline end product
ammonia
 Microorganism that possess the enzyme urease have
the capability of hydrolyzing urea with the release of
ammonia andurease
carbon dioxide

Urea + Water Ammonia & Carbon dioxide

 Materials:
Urea Christensen broth
Test organism
Procedures:

Inoculate 5 loopful of the test organism into the

urea christensen broth.

Incubate at 370C for 24 hours.

Observe for color change.

Observation:
 POSITIVE
• dark pink color
• The pH indicator phenol red changes
to a deep pink color in the
presence of ammonia turning the medium
alkaline
• particularly helpful in identifying Proteus  from
other species due to the rapid action of the
enzyme by Proteus compared to other non-
lactose fermenting enterics
• Also (+) to Klebsiella, Haemophilus and
Citrobacter
 NEGATIVE
• If the medium retains its original color