Cyclic voltammetry of platinum single crystal electrodes in solutions containing urea

One of the most challenging problems when trying to recycle urine for different purposes is the removal of urea. In this project we studied an ureolysis system using the bacterium Proteus vulgaris for the transformation of urea to ammonia and its subsequent oxidation to nitrogen at a Pt working electrode. Our system was tested under different pH, microbial reaction times, and urea and bacteria concentrations. Our results indicate that a pH 8 is optimal for the combined Proteus vulgaris urease activity and the ammonia oxidation reaction at a Pt electrode. The reaction time and concentration dependence on the ammonia oxidation reaction current densities was also studied. Results showed limited ammonia oxidation under high urea concentrations in ~2.5 × 109 cfu/mL Proteus vulgaris in synthetic urine.