A method and diagnostic composition for the determination of urobilinogen in the urine

摘要

A diagnostic composition for determining urobilinogen comprises a dry mixture of a p-dialkylamino-benzaldehyde and a solid organic acid. On addition to urine, a cherry-red coloration is produced, the intensity of which indicates the amount of urobilinogen present. Suitable organic acids are sulphosalicylic, maleic, citric, tartaric, and oxalic acids. The composition may be in tablet form and may include an alkali metal carbonate or bicarbonate to assist solution of the tablet or an inorganic base to generate heat. When oxalic acid is used, corn starch or alginic acid replaces the carbonate or bicarbonate.