acrylamide

[ uh-kril-uh-mahyd, -mid, ak-ruh-lam-ahyd, -id ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a colorless, odorless, toxic crystalline compound, C 3 H 5 NO, soluble in water, alcohol, and acetone: used in the synthesis of polyacrylamide and other organic materials, as textile fibers, in the processing of ore, and in the treatment of sewage.

acrylamide

/ ə-krĭl′ə-mīd′ /

1. A chemical compound that is derived from acrylic acid and easily forms polymers. Acrylamide is used in synthetic fibers and sewage treatment and as a medium in electrophoresis, especially to separate macromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. Chemical formula: C 3 H 5 NO.

Word History and Origins

Origin of acrylamide¹

acryl(ic) + amide

Example Sentences

Researchers suggested that acrylamide — a chemical compound that's formed when certain foods, like potatoes, are fried, roasted or baked — is what's behind a higher risk of anxiety and depression.

From Salon

But research on rodents exposed them to far higher levels of the compound than humans would consume, and evidence suggests animals also metabolize acrylamide differently than we do.

From Salon

Rothamsted Research this month applied for a permit to field test wheat edited to contain less asparagine, an amino acid that becomes the carcinogen acrylamide when baked.

From Science Magazine

And for the outward-facing side, they turned to a chemical called acrylamide, which expands at high temperatures.

From Scientific American

The judge determined the warnings were needed because coffee roasting produces trace amounts of acrylamide, a known carcinogen, although the retailers argued there’s no scientific evidence linking coffee consumption with an increased risk of cancer.

From Los Angeles Times