Test for Presence of Albumin in Urine: Procedure & Observation

 Albumin is a protein substitute produced by the liver. It is an important constituent of blood that the kidney filters. It acts as a carrier protein hormones,fatty acids and steroids in the blood. It maintains the intravascular oncotic

Key Takeaways: Nitric acid, Albumin, Protein, Albuminuria, Liver, Kidneys, Hormones.

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What is Albuminuria?

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A normal working kidney of a person has little to no traces of albumin in their urine, counting about 250 mg in normal urine per day. A certain level of anomaly can occur in the albumin content if any damage to the kidney occurs which is way above the normal level to enter into the urine. This condition is called albuminuria. However, if the albumin level is abnormally low and keeps on staying abnormal, then the condition is known as micro-albuminuria.

Difference in the Albumin Levels of a Healthy and Damaged Kidney

Diabetes patients are most prone to get affected from the condition due to worsen kidney. Damage caused in the kidney due to high blood pressure, heart failure, cirrhosis, and lupus can also be a cause.

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Tests to Detect Albumin in Urine

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Albumin levels in urine is a major indicator of the diseased state of the kidney. Thus, different tests for detecting the presence of albumin in urine are used commonly. This helps in;

1. Diagnosing diseases associated with the kidney
2. Monitoring the improvements in the kidney during the treatment

Tests mainly used to detect the presence of albumin in urine are as follows:

1. Heller’s test - a white ring is formed due to albumin expedition.
2. Sulphosalicylic acid test - thickening of the solution and the colour changing into whitish cloud.

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Heller’s Test

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Heller’s test is based on the principle of denaturation and precipitation of proteins in the presence of strong acid. Materials required to carry out the experiment are concentrated nitric acid, test tube, measuring cylinder, dropper, test tube holder and urine sample. 

Procedure

1. Add 5ml concentrated nitric acid precisely from the reagent jar, with the help of a measuring cylinder, and put it into a test tube.
2. Add a few drops of the urine sample from the sample urine jar, using a dropper.
3. Pour some sample of urine touching the inner side of the test tube with a dropper and slightly inclining the tube so as to form a covering on the nitric acid.
4.  See the changes that occur in the test tube.

Observation and Conclusion

The changes taking place in the test tube are observed. At the meeting of the two layers, a white ring occurs which indicates the presence of albumin in the given sample of urine.

White Ring formation in Heller’s Test

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Sulphosalicylic Acid Test

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This test is based on the principle that salicylic acid causes precipitation of proteins that results in the sample becoming thick and turbid. The extent of turbidity in the sample can be used to estimate the amount of protein it contains. Materials required to carry out the experiment are urine sample, measuring cylinder, burner, 30% sulphosalicylic acid, test tube, dropper, test tube holder.

Procedure

1. Add 2ml sample of the urine precisely from the sample urine jar, with the help of a measuring cylinder and pour it into a test tube.
2. Add a few drops of the sulphosalicylic acid with the help of a dropper into the tube holder carrying the urine sample.
3. The colour of the solution in the tube turns to white.
4. While holding the tube with the help of a holder, heat the solution on the burner slowly.
5. Keep noticing the change that takes place thereafter.

Observation and Conclusion

The provided sample of urine turns into a thick cloudy turbid solution which is slightly whitish in colour indicating the presence of albumin in the sample.

Sulphosalicylic Acid Test

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Things to Remember

• Albumin is a key protein constituent produced by the human liver.
• It acts as a carrier protein for thyroid hormones, fatty acids and steroids in the blood and maintains the intravascular oncotic pressure.
• Albuminuria is a condition where a normal working kidney of a person has more traces of albumin than its normal count in their urine causing damage to the kidneys.
• The presence of albumin can be determined with Heller’s Test and Sulphosalicylic Acid Test.
• Heller’s test is characterized by the occurrence of a white ring and in sulphosalicylic acid test, the sample turns turbid.