suberin

[ soo-ber-in ]

noun

, Botany.

1. a waxlike, fatty substance, occurring in cork cell walls and in or between other cells, that on alkaline hydrolysis yields chiefly suberic acid.

suberin

/ ˈsjuːbərɪn /

noun

1. a fatty or waxy substance that is present in the walls of cork cells, making them impermeable to water and resistant to decay

suberin

/ so̅o̅′bər-ĭn /

1. A polyester composed of fatty acids and aromatic compounds that occurs naturally in the cell walls of cork tissue in plants. Suberin acts together with waxes to protect plant surfaces from water loss and microbial attack, and also helps to close tears and breaks.

Word History and Origins

Origin of suberin¹

1820–30; < Latin sūber cork + -in ²; compare French subérine

Word History and Origins

Origin of suberin¹

C19: from Latin sūber cork + -in

Example Sentences

Next, Joe Noel called the team’s attention to a molecule called suberin, which forms the main component of cork.

From Washington Post

It would contain lots and lots of suberin.

From Washington Post

If a sprout was deficient in suberin, that meant a gene related to its production had been knocked out.

From Washington Post

That team at the Salk Institute has a really interesting proposal to modify roots to sequester more suberin, a form of carbon that stays in the soil for a long time.

From Washington Post

Specifically, the products contain an extract of the cork oak called suberin, which the company touts as helping moisturize, stimulate cell renewal and reduce redness.

From Los Angeles Times