mutarotation

[ myoo-tuh-roh-tey-shuhn ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a gradual change in the optical rotation of freshly prepared solutions of reducing sugars.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mutarotation¹

1895–1900; < Latin mūtā ( re ) to change + rotation

Example Sentences

This discovery explained the mutarotation of glucose.

From Project Gutenberg

This phenomenon has been called mutarotation by T. M. Lowry.

From Project Gutenberg

Solutions exhibit mutarotation, fresh solutions having a specific rotation of −104.0�, which gradually diminishes to −92�.

From Project Gutenberg

But when glucose is dissolved in water, it exhibits in a marked degree the phenomenon known as "mutarotation"; that is, freshly made solutions exhibit a certain definite rotatory power, but this changes rapidly until it finally reaches another definite specific rotation.

From Project Gutenberg

The results of these studies may be considered in connection with the several different types of reactions which these sugars undergo, as follows: Glucoside Hydrolysis.—As was pointed out in connection with the discussion of the mutarotation of glucose, this sugar may exist in either the α or the β modification.

From Project Gutenberg