Urea is also referred to as carbamide, the diamide of carbonic acidic and its formula is H2NCONH2. It is among the popular elements used in the formation of fertilizers, feed supplements, plastics and drugs. It is a transparent crystalline component with a melting point of 132.7-degree Farhenite and decomposes prior to boiling.
Urea is the prominent nitrogenous end-product of metabolic segregation of proteins in mammals and some kind of fishes. This material is created not only in the mammal’s urine but also in their bile, milk, blood, and perspiration.
Nature of Urea
Urea is created by mammals as a result of removal of ammonia, which is highly toxic for them. The urea cycle is a continuous process of the development urea from ammonia. Similar to mammals, in humans, urea is a waste produced created when the body completely digested proteins. It is transferred through the blood to the kidneys that filter urea from the blood and amalgamates it in the urine.
Additionally, in the soil, there are different types of bacteria that release an enzyme known as urease. It is a hydraulic enzyme that works to catalyze the decomposition reaction between urea and water by forming a carbon dioxide molecule and two ammonia molecules.
Use Cases of Urea
Following are the primary uses of urea –
- Fertilizer
A majority of the urea produced is used to make fertilizer. It is added to the soil in order to provide adequate nitrogen to the plants. Low-biuret urea is used popularly as a foliar fertilizer, which is dissolved in the water and applied to the plant leaves.
Urea fertilizer has high nitrogen content, which is imperative to stimulate plant metabolism with regards to the number of leaves and stems absorbing light during photosynthesis. It is adapted based on the crop types, and it is important for fertilizers. This is because post the harvest process, the soil loses a high amount of nitrogen.
Urea grains are added to the soul to restore the lost nitrogen. It can be used during the planting or sooner. Once added, the area is hydrolyzed and eventually decomposed. When you are adding urea to the soil, you must be extremely careful and choose the right way. If you do not use proper technique to incorporate the fertilizer into the soil or only add it to the surface, the ammonia is going to vaporize.
- Synthetic Resin
Urea Turkmenistan is an industrial product, which is used in the production of synthetic resins for applications in laminates, plywood, plastics, adhesive, particleboard, coatings, and textiles. Using formaldehyde, it created a strong electrically non-conducting plastic.
- Pharmaceutical Products
It is also used in the production of pharmaceutical products. In the year 1864, Adolph von Baeyer, German chemist synthesized barbituric acid from urea and diethyl malonate. Some derivatives of barbituric acid, including pentobarbital, pentothal, secobarbital, etc. are used as a tranquillizer or sleep inducer.
- Livestock Feed
Feed-grade urea can be an important source protein the cattle diets. It is non-protein nitrogen element. And, the nitrogen portion of the compound acts as the building blocks for protein production through rumen microbes. Urea has a nitrogen content of 45%, whereas protein has a nitrogen content of 16%. Therefore, when urea is transformed into protein, the crude protein value of the urea stands at 281%.
There you have it, in this article we have highlighted some vital information with regards to the urea and its application for industrial purposes. It is evident that 90% of the urea produced is used for fertilizers across the globe. It is important that people use this compound in a well-informed and right manner to enjoy its potentials and mitigate the risk factors.