What is biuret ? and how it is formed in the manufacture of urea,i mean from urea?

Question

What is biuret ? and how it is formed in the manufacture of urea,i mean from urea?

Answer 1

Biuret is a condensation compound of urea, equivalent to two molecules of urea joined together.  as a Nitrogen source it is less toxic and longer lasting than Urea.

Answer 2

When urea is formed, from whatever source, what happens is that  a stable ammonia is replaced by a molecule short of a hydrogen which picks up a similar shorted urea and they form a link as two urea's, or biuret. They actually may form longer chains but won't be very stable or long lasting, but this chemistry is a base for a huge number of products which include fertilizers, fuels, and plastics to name just a few of a huge list. Ain't chemistry fun (scary!)

Answer 3

Biuret is a condensation compound of urea, equivalent to two molecules of urea less one of ammonia. It is a white solid soluble in hot water and decomposes at 186–189 °C. The parent compound can be prepared by heating urea above the melting point at which temperature ammonia is expelled.

         Urea------------------Biuret

    2 CO(NH2)2 → H2N-CO-NH-CO-NH2 + (NH3 ammonia gas)

Protein is one of the most expensive nutrients to supplement in the diet. Protein from non-protein nitrogen (NPN) is relatively inexpensive, but the most common source of NPN, urea, is released too rapidly in the rumen to be well utilized in high-roughage diets. This rapid release can cause ammonia toxicity in some instances. Due to biuret’s unique chemical properties, it is released more gradually in the rumen compared to urea. Research shows biuret has a nitrogen release curve similar to that of soybean meal. Biuret provides a more cost-effective protein source than urea and a higher level of safety against ammonia toxicity. Plus, the gradual release of biuret in the rumen enables better forage digestion throughout the day compared to a urea supplement only. Note: Biurer or Urea supplements while excellent protein supplements for ruminating animals, it can be fatal to simple stomach animals, like horses.