Compararative study on the antibacterial effect of urea on Escherichia coli and staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

This research aimed at finding out the antibacterial effect of urea on urinary tract E. coli and S.aureus. Over the years, urine was considered as a good medium for bacterial growth. However recent research provides evidence of antibacterial activity of urine which is attributed to urea concentration in the urine. But these reports do not justify if the activity is attributed to urea concentration only or due to synergistic activity with other factors in urine. Urea concentration in relation to its antibacterial effect was thereby studied as one parameter in order to justify the claim of its antibacterial activity. E.coli and S.aureus were exposed to urea containing medium however there was no effect on S.aureus which was attributed to its thick cell wall compared to other gram-positive bacteria and the presence of enzyme urease. There was an effect on E. coli but not very significant as expected which may be due to the evolutionary changes in E. Coli leading to increased resistance. On the other hand, the reduced effect of urea on E. coli could actually suggest that optimal antibacterial activity of urine is achieved due to synergistic activity of various factors in urine.