Urethanase () is an enzyme characterised from Citrobacter species that catalyzes the hydrolysis of ethyl carbamate (urethane) to give ethanol, ammonia, and carbon dioxide:
Ethyl carbamate is a known carcinogen and contaminant in food, so the enzyme is of interest as a means of removing it. Related enzymes have been sought which are capable of breaking down, and hence recycling, polyurethane-based plastics.
This enzyme is a hydrolase, one acting on carbon-nitrogen bonds other than peptide bonds, specifically in linear amides. The systematic name of this enzyme class is urethane amidohydrolase (decarboxylating). It is also called urethane hydrolase.
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