Genetically engineered E. coli cells containing K. aerogenes gene, microencapsulated in artificial cells for urea and ammonia removal.

Microencapsulated genetically engineered E. coli cells can efficiently remove urea without any increase in the ammonia levels in the medium. A 100 mg. alginate encapsulated bacteria rapidly reduces urea in a 100 ml. solution. The original urea concentration 100.00 +/- 1.00 mg./dl. fell to 1.55 +/- 0.13 mg./dl. in 30 minutes. There was no increase in the ammonia in the reaction medium. Extrapolated results shows that urea depletion capacity of encapsulated bacteria is sufficient to remove urea during kidney failure. Using single pool model, 40 gm. of encapsulated genetically engineered E. coli can lower urea (100 mg./dl.) in 40 litres of the body water to 1.60 mg./dl. within 30 minutes. Also, 40.00 gm. bacteria can lower ammonia (758.00 microM/l), in 40 litres of body water, to 90.42 microM/l in 20 minutes. Further studies will be required for multi-compartmental models in the physiological conditions.