Description

The Cortez Diagnostics, Inc. Urine Reagent Strips (URS) for Urinalysis are firm plastic strips to which several different reagent areas are affixed. Depending on the product being used, the Cortez Diagnostics, Inc. Urine Reagent Strips provide tests for Glucose, Bilirubin, Ketone (Acetoacetic acid), Specific Gravity, Blood, pH, Protein, Urobilinogen, Nitrite, Leukocytes, and Ascorbic Acid in Urine. Test results may provide information regarding the status of carbohydrate metabolism, kidney and liver function, acidbase
balance, and bacteriurea.1,2 Please refer to the outside box and bottle label for the specific test parameters of the product you are using.

The Cortez Diagnostics, Inc. Urine Reagent Strips are packaged along with a drying agent in a plastic bottle with a twist-off cap. Each strip is stable and ready to use upon removal from the bottle. The entire reagent strip is disposable. Results are obtained by direct comparison of the test strip with the color blocks printed on the bottle label. No calculations or laboratory instruments are required.

Glucose:
This test is based on a double sequential enzyme reaction. One enzyme, glucose oxidase, catalyzes the formation of gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide from the oxidation of glucose. A second enzyme, peroxidase, catalyzes the reaction of hydrogen peroxide with potassium iodide chromogen to oxidize the chromogen to colors ranging from blue-green to greenishbrown through brown and dark brown.

Specific Gravity:
This test is based on the apparent pKa change of certain pretreated polyelectrolytes in relation to the ionic concentration. In the presence of an indicator, the colors range from dark blue or blue-green in urine of low ionic concentration to green and yellow-green in urine of higher ionic concentration.

pH:
This test is based on the well known double pH indicator method, where bromothymol blue and methyl red give distinguishable colors over the pH range of 5-9. The colors range from red-orange to yellow and yellow-green to blue-green.

Protein:
This test is based on the protein error-of-indicator principle. At a constant pH, the development of any green color is due to the presence of protein. Colors range from yellow for a “Negative” reaction to yellow-green and green to blue-green for a “Positive” reaction.