Improved Urine Preservative

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texass

An improved solution for preserving samples of urine has been formulated. This solution preserves a much broader spectrum of analytes in urine than do other urine-preservative solutions here-tofore in use by NASA, and is safe for use by humans. When this solution is used, (1) refrigeration of urine samples is not necessary for preserving them and (2) the solution does not alter the pH values of the samples — two important considerations for collecting and storing urine samples in outer space. By eliminating the need to ship frozen samples, this preservative will enable the collection of urine samples — not only in outer space but also in terrestrial remote settings where it was previously not feasible.

Preliminary Data indicate that CPG preserves a number of urine analytes during prolonged storage at room temperature.

Limits on overall available space and power aboard spacecraft include severe limits on available space for storing frozen biological fluids. Researchers at Johnson Space Center hoped to identify a way of preserving urine analytes at ambient temperature for long times to lessen the effects of these limits on biomedical research and monitoring of crew health. What they formulated is the present urine preservative, called "CPG," which is a solution that comprises equal parts of chlorhexidine gluconate and n-propyl gallate. CPG eliminates or reduces the primary causes of destruction of analytes in urine; these causes are bacterial contamination and oxidation. CPG does this without altering the pH of the urine. These characteristics make CPG an excellent candidate for use not only in outer space but also in the commercial medical field on Earth.

Chlorhexidine gluconate is a water-soluble, bactericidal compound used commercially as a topical anti-infective agent. N-propyl gallate, a commercial food additive, is an antioxidant. The Food and Drug Administration has ruled that both compounds are safe for use by humans at the concentrations necessary to maintain the integrity of urine samples.

To make CPG, one first prepares 20-percent solutions of n-propyl gallate and chlorhexidine gluconate, then mixes these solutions in equal parts. The resulting CPG solution is placed into aliquot tubes to yield a final concentration of 0.4 milligram of CPG per milliliter of urine.

Researchers tested CPG with 17 urine analytes during 12 months, using two separate pooled samples. Unpreserved aliquots from each pool were stored at a temperature of –70 °C as baseline samples. Both preserved and unpreserved aliquots from each pool were also stored at room temperature. Analytes were measured on days 1, 14, and 28 for the first month and then once a month for the next 11 months. The table gives the results of this study. The bold text within the table indicates the instances in which CPG provided extended room-temperature stability.

This work was done by Scott Smith of Johnson Space Center and Jeannie Nillen of Krug Life Sciences, Inc.

This invention is owned by NASA, and a patent application has been filed. Inquiries concerning nonexclusive or exclusive license for its commercial development should be addressed to