The subject of this publication is calorimetric investigations on the
inhibitor effect of heavy metal ions on the enzyme urease. The obtaine
d results allow quantification of the inhibitors (Cd2+-, As3+-, Zn2+-,
Pb2+-ions) via the initial reaction rate of enzymatically catalysed u
rea hydrolysis. The interpretation potential of the calorimetric measu
rements is underlined by the determination of the inhibiting mechanism
s for the example of Cd2+- and As3+-ions, the findings on the time reg
ime of the inhibition process, and the detection of heavy metal ions i
n the ppm range. The use of several different buffer substance reveale
d the influence of the latter on the intensity of heavy metal inhibiti
on. This opens the path to both the selective analysis of heavy metals
via pattern recognition and to the improvement of detection sensitivi
ty. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.