Analysis of Cow’s Urine for Detection of Lipase Activity and Anti-Microbial Properties.

Abstract

There is enormous amount of literature in Ayurveda stating the importance of cow's urine for all purposes, including its importance in our daily life. This research targets on the antimicrobial activity of urine and its biochemical content that can be the key potential factor for its usage as a medicine. A detailed biochemical analysis of cow's urine was done to understand its antibacterial/antifungal properties along with lipase activity which could make it a potentially effective anti-cancer agent. Various micro-organismal plating techniques were applied using Nutrient and Potato Dextrose Agar as the medium for bacterial and fungal growth, to study the inhibitory activity of cow's urine on these organisms. Thin layer chromatography, Volumetric analysis, Spectrophotometric analysis and Tributyrin tests were conducted on cow's urine sample to analyze the lipase activity present within the urine content. Statistical comparisons, of the spectra obtained from the Spectrophotometric analysis of urine sample, were made with those already analyzed on various types of lipase activity detections from previous researches, and similarities were observed in both studies to ascertain the lipase factor potential within cow's urine sample. The tests proved that cow's urine was highly effective in inhibiting bacterial and fungal growth and also a potential natural source of lipase enzyme. In the rural villages on India, cow's urine is being used since a very long time, as an effective antiseptic for wounds, skin diseases, bathing, etc. In rural houses, people dilute cow's urine with water and use it as a natural disinfectant to purify their premises. With an approximate shelf life of around 5 years, this can prove to be the most effective natural antiseptic and disinfectant, when compared to the synthetic chemicals that are currently available to the consumers. It strengthens the fact that cow's urine is not a toxic effluent, 95% of its content being water, 2.5% of urea, and the remaining 2.5% a mixture of minerals, salts, hormones and enzymes. (8). Research also proves that cow's urine augments B- and T-lymphocyte blastogenesis, and IgG, IgA and IgM antibody titers in mice. It also increases secretion of interleukin-1 and interleukin-2, (9). phagocytic activity of macrophages, and is thus helpful in the prevention and control of infections.