Urea is a substance produced in the liver from ammonia, resulting from the metabolism of proteins, being eliminated through the urine.
Chemically it is classified as an amide, which is why it is considered a non-protein nitrogenous compound.
It is a quaternary compound, consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon and hydrogen, white, crystalline, with a bitter taste and soluble in water and alcohol. It corresponds to 2% to 5%, by mass, of the urine composition.
Urea was first synthesized in 1828 by Friedrich Wöhler (1800-1882), who managed to prepare urea in his laboratory, through a process known today as Wöhler synthesis, which is characterized by the heating of ammonium cyanate, found in minerals. Today, urea is industrially produced from CO2 (carbon dioxide) and NH3 (ammonia).
Some uses and applications of urea:
- Production of artificial rain;
- Humectant;
- Moisturizer in cosmetic creams and ointments;
- Production of agricultural fertilizers;
- Cattle feeding;
- Explosive stabilizer;
- Production of resins and medications such as sedatives and hypnotics.