The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has developed a kit for the detection of the urinary oxalate for semi-quantitative analysis by using disposable strips, and claimed to be having many advantages compared to the available tools for similar tests.

The ICMR has invited potential licencees for the disposable strips for Semi-Quantitative analysis of urinary oxalate. Right now, various methods and biosensors are available for oxalate determination but they suffer from one or the other drawback such as complex procedures, requirement of laboratory facility, expensive equipments, skilled persons for analysis and are time-consuming process.

On the other hand, the new kit developed by the ICMR has many advantages compared to the traditional kits available in the markets now, according to the IPR unit of the ICMR. The Council has already got the patent for this technology.

The bio-strip of this new invention can be used by a person at his bedside, without the help of a laboratory and skilled person to differentiate a normal urine sample from a hyperoxaluria sample. Besides being a simple process, it will take less time compared to other kits available. ``The bio-strip shows no loss of activity even after its storage at 4ºC for three months,’’ according to the official.

Determination of oxalate in urine and blood is of great interest, as it directly indicates the concentration of oxalate in the human body.   The measurement of oxalate in urine and plasma is very important for the diagnosis and medical management of innumerable disease condition like primary and secondary hyperoxaluria, idiopathic, steatorrhoea, ileal disease, ethylene glycol poisoning, E-ferrol toxicity syndrome, etc.