Ureolytic and urease-activating properties of commercial laboratory animal bedding.
Five types of commercial laboratory animal bedding were assessed for endogenous ureolytic activity using a sensitive method which measures the rate of evolution of 14C-carbon dioxide from 14C-urea. On a weight basis, the highest levels of urease activity were found in heat-treated hardwood chips and a regular grade of crushed corncobs. A deodorant-treated type of crushed corncobs had a moderately high level of activity, while pelleted corncobs and pelleted alfalfa were almost devoid of urease activity. A heat-stable activator of bacterial urease was found in hardwood chips and crushed corncobs.
D000818:Animals; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006799:Housing, Animal; D000455:Medicago sativa; D011513:Proteus mirabilis / Q000201:enzymology; D014508:Urea / Q000378:metabolism*; D014510:Urease / Q000378:metabolism*; D014934:Wood; D003313:Zea mays
D014508:Urea; D014510:Urease