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Urea Agar Base
Christensen's Urease Detection Medium

Urea Agar Base (Christensen) | AS-1373 | Urease Detection | AuSaMicS

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AuSaMicS Life Science • Differential Media

Urea Agar Base

Christensen's Urease Detection Medium

Gold standard differential medium for urease activity detection. Critical for identifying Proteus, Klebsiella, Helicobacter, and other urease-positive organisms with distinctive phenol red color change.

AS-1373 🔴 Phenol Red ✓ Australian Stock 🧪 Biochemical
Same-Day Dispatch: Australian Stock Clinical Grade: Diagnostic applications Rapid Results: 1-48 hour detection

 Urease Specialist

Color Change Expert - Phenol red system
Clinical Grade - Diagnostic applications
Complete Package - COA + Protocols
Fast Supply - Ships within 24h
Expert Support - Method optimization
pH Indicator System
Orange → Pink color change

🧪 Complete Formulation & Urease Mechanism

📋 Ingredient Composition (per Liter)

Ingredient Concentration Primary Function Mechanism
Peptone 1.0 g Minimal nitrogen source Basic nutrients without interference
Dextrose 1.0 g Minimal carbon source Energy for cellular maintenance
Sodium Chloride 5.0 g Osmotic balance Maintains cell integrity
Potassium Phosphates 2.0 g Buffer system Initial pH control, phosphate source
Urea 20.0 g Enzyme substrate Hydrolyzed by urease → ammonia + CO₂
Phenol Red 0.012 g pH indicator Yellow (pH 6.8) → Pink (pH >8.1)
Agar 15.0 g Solidifying agent Slant formation for surface inoculation

⚗️ Urease Hydrolysis Mechanism

Urease enzyme (if present)

CO(NH₂)₂ + 2H₂O → 2NH₃ + CO₂

NH₃ + H₂O → NH₄⁺ + OH⁻

pH increases → Phenol Red: Yellow → Pink
NEGATIVE
Orange-Yellow (pH 6.8)
POSITIVE
Pink-Red (pH >8.1)

📊 Complete Urease Testing Media Portfolio

Medium Format Sensitivity Detection Time Best Application Key Advantage
Urea Agar (Christensen) Solid slant ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ High 1-48 hours Weak urease detection Gold standard, stable results
Urea Broth (Stuart) Liquid ⭐⭐⭐ Moderate 15min-4 hours Rapid Proteus screening Ultra-rapid for strong positives
CLO Test Rapid gel ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very High 5-60 minutes H. pylori biopsy Point-of-care testing
Urea R Strips Dipstick ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good 2-15 minutes Rapid screening Portable, no preparation
Urea-Indole Medium Dual test ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good 4-24 hours Combined biochemical Two tests in one
API 20E (Urease) Panel strip ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good 4-24 hours Comprehensive ID 20-test battery

 Strategic Method Selection for Urease Testing

✅ Urea Agar Advantages

  • Highest Sensitivity: Detects weak urease activity
  • Gold Standard: Most reliable method
  • Stable Results: Clear endpoint determination
  • Cost Effective: Simple formulation
  • Long Shelf Life: Stable prepared medium
  • Universal Application: All urease-positive organisms

⚠️ Method Considerations

  • Time Variable: 1 hour to 7 days
  • Preparation Required: vs. ready-to-use strips
  • Heat Sensitivity: Urea degradation possible
  • Storage Requirements: Light protection needed
  • Single Test: vs. multiplex panels

🎯 Application-Specific Selection

  • Clinical ID: Urea Agar (comprehensive testing)
  • Rapid Proteus: Stuart's Broth (15 minutes)
  • H. pylori: CLO Test (biopsy specimens)
  • Point-of-Care: Dipstick methods
  • Comprehensive ID: API panels

📊 Organism-Specific Urease Activity

Organism Urea Agar Reaction Time Clinical Significance
Proteus mirabilis Strong Positive 1-6 hours UTI pathogen, rapid identification
Proteus vulgaris Strong Positive 1-4 hours UTI pathogen, species differentiation
Klebsiella pneumoniae Positive 4-24 hours Healthcare-associated infections
Helicobacter pylori Strong Positive 1-4 hours Gastric ulcers, diagnostic marker
Enterobacter cloacae Positive 6-48 hours Opportunistic pathogen
Cryptococcus neoformans Positive 4-24 hours Fungal meningitis, yeast identification
E. coli Negative No reaction Differential diagnosis from Proteus
Salmonella spp. Negative No reaction Enterobacteriaceae differentiation

🔬 Urease Testing Protocol & Quality Control

Inoculation:
Light streak on slant surface
Avoid heavy inoculation
Positive Control:
Proteus mirabilis ATCC 25933
Pink-red in 1-6 hours
Negative Control:
E. coli ATCC 25922
Remains orange-yellow
Reading Schedule:
Check at 1h, 4h, 24h, 48h
Report time to positive
Critical Factors: Avoid heavy inoculation which can cause false positives due to protein breakdown. Incubate with loose caps to allow CO₂ escape.

📋 Technical Specifications

Catalogue Number AS-1373
Dehydrated Weight 44.0 g/L
Final pH 6.8 ± 0.2 (at 25°C)
Urea Concentration 20 g/L
Indicator Phenol Red (12 mg/L)
Appearance (Powder) Light pink to beige
Prepared Medium Orange-yellow, clear slants
Sterilization 121°C, 15 minutes max
Shelf Life 3 years

Key Urease-Positive Organisms

  • Proteus mirabilis - UTI pathogen
  • Proteus vulgaris - Wound infections
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae - HAI pathogen
  • Helicobacter pylori - Gastric ulcers
  • Cryptococcus neoformans - Fungal

🏥 Clinical Applications

  • UTI Diagnosis: Proteus identification
  • Enterobacteriaceae ID: Species differentiation
  • H. pylori Testing: Gastric biopsy specimens
  • Fungal Identification: Yeast characterization
  • Biochemical Profiling: IMViC battery

⚠️ Critical Success Factors

  • Temperature Control: Cool before pouring (45-50°C)
  • Reading Schedule: Check at multiple time points
  • Light Inoculation: Avoid protein breakdown
  • Light Protection: Store in darkness
  • Loose Caps: Allow CO₂ escape

✅ Quality Standards

  • Performance Testing: Reference strains
  • pH Verification: 6.8 ± 0.2 confirmed
  • Urea Potency: Substrate activity verified
  • Color Development: Indicator function
  • Stability Testing: Shelf life validation

🧪 Complete Biochemical Testing System

Differential & Biochemical Media

Urea Broth (Stuart) (AS-1374)

Rapid urease testing

View Product
Indole-Urea Medium (AS-1422)

Dual biochemical test

View Product
Triple Sugar Iron (AS-1365)

Carbohydrate fermentation

View Product
Simmons Citrate Agar (AS-1348)

Citrate utilization

View Product

Reagents & Rapid Test Kits

CLO Test Kit

H. pylori rapid detection

View Product
Urea R Strips

Dipstick urease test

View Product
Indole Reagent

Kovac's reagent

View Product
API 20E Strips

Comprehensive ID panel

View Product

Supporting Culture Media

MacConkey Agar

Gram-negative isolation

View Product
Blood Agar Base

Primary isolation

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Nutrient Agar

General growth medium

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Mueller Hinton Agar

Susceptibility testing

View Product

Need Biochemical Testing Support?

Our clinical microbiologists can help optimize your urease testing and identification protocols

For clinical diagnostics and laboratory use only. Not for food, feed, household, cosmetic, therapeutic, or personal use.
AuSaMicS Pty Ltd • ABN: 56 676 640 467 • 31 Longview CT, Thomastown, VIC 3074, Australia
Same-day dispatch • Australian stock • Clinical compliance documentation included

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