Application of flow-microcalorimetry to analytical problems-II Urea-urease system.

A discussion of the importance of the kinetic parameters, particularly the Michaelis constant K(m), in designing an analytical kinetic technique is given. The magnitude of K(m) is shown to affect only the range of substrate concentrations accessible and not the sensitivity of the method. The limitations and advantages of the microcalorimetric method in the determination of K(m) are outlined. The microcalorimetric technique and the principles discussed were tested by application to the urea-urease system.