Abstract
The objective of the study is to examine the physical properties of urine of healthy donors and Chronic Kidney Disease ( CKD) patients for possible early detection of proteinuria. Specific gravity, viscosity, surface tension, refractive index, electrical conductivity and IR spectroscopy of urine were studied. First morning urine and random urine samples were collected from healthy male donors and were considered as controls to compare with CKD patients. Urine from healthy donors treated with albumin also used in the study. The decrease in surface tension of CKD urines was observed due to high albumin excretion and increased blood urea nitrogen. Fourier Transform Infrared ( FTIR) spectra in the mid IR region were recorded for normal and albumin treated urine. It observed that peaks at 1641 cm(-1) and 1450 cm(-1) in IR spectra are the most specific peaks for urea and albumin, respectively. This method of detecting proteinuria is quick and cheaper, and is an alternate to eGFR.