Single-step purification of urease by affinity chromatography

Single-step purification of urease (urea aminohydrolase; EC. 3.5.1.5) from cell-free extracts of Proteus morganii and from partially purified preparations of jack bean urease were achieved in less than 90 min by affinity chromatography on hydroxyurea-substituted beaded agarose columns. The specific activities of the purified enzymes were as high as, or higher than, those reported by other authors for urease preparations obtained by conventional techniques. In addition, yields of enzyme activity were routinely 6 to 100 times greater than recoveries previously reported for this enzyme.