browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
diastase |
1 definition found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Diastase \Di"a*stase\, n. [Gr. ? separation, fr ?, ? to stand apart; dia` through + ?, ?, to stand set: cf F. diastase. Cf {Diastasis}.] (Physiol. Chem.) A soluble, nitrogenous ferment, capable of converting starch and dextrin into sugar. Note: The name is more particularly applied to that ferment formed during the germination of grain, as in the malting of barley; but it is also occasionally used to designate the amylolytic ferment contained in animal fluids, as in the saliva.
This work is licensed under a
