Allantoin is a chemical compound with formula C4H6N4O3. It is also called 5-ureidohydantoin
or glyoxyldiureide.[1][2] It is a diureide of glyoxylic acid.
Named after the allantois (an amniote embryonic excretory organ in which it concentrates
during development in most mammals except humans and higher apes), it is a product of
oxidation of uric acid by purine catabolism. After birth, it is the predominant means by which
nitrogenous waste is excreted in the urine of these animals.In humans and higher apes, the
metabolic pathway for conversion of uric acid to allantoin is not present, so the former is
excreted. Recombinant rasburicase is sometimes used as a drug to catalyze this metabolic
conversion in patients. In fish, allantoin is broken down further (into ammonia) before
excretion. Allantoin is a major metabolic intermediate in many other organisms including
plants and bacteria.

Specification