Ureases

Ureases are enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of urea, a nitrogenous waste product of the metabolism of animals, into ammonia and carbon dioxide. They have significant roles in plant, animal and bacterial systems and are used by industries in chemical processes. Ureases are beneficial to plants, aiding in the breakdown of urea to form water-soluble ammonium which inhibits nitrogen loss. In animals, the enzyme helps maintain constant urea concentrations in blood and in the gastrointestinal system. Ureases are also used by bacteria, such as Pseudomonas, to convert urea into ammonium to gain energy. In industry, ureases are used in chemical processes such as the production of fertilizers, antibiotics, and other compounds.