EDTA

American  

abbreviation

Chemistry, Pharmacology.

1. ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid: a colorless compound, C 10 H 16 N 2 O 8 , capable of chelating a variety of divalent metal cations: as a salt used as an anticoagulant, antioxidant, blood cholesterol reducer, food preservative; as a calcium-disodium salt used in the treatment of lead and other heavy-metal poisonings.

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EDTA British  

noun

1. ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid; a colourless crystalline slightly soluble organic compound used in inorganic chemistry and biochemistry. It is a powerful chelating agent used to stabilize bleach in detergents. Formula: [(HOOCCH 2 ) 2 NCH 2 ] 2

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Etymology

Origin of EDTA

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Calcium Disodium EDTA, which is banned within drinks in the UK, was found in Mountain Dew.

From BBC • Dec. 11, 2023

After the blood was revealed to contain EDTA, a chemical used to preserve blood samples in police labs, Cooper’s team suggested the blood had been planted on the shirt.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 18, 2018

They point to tests that suggest the blood on the T-shirt contained the preservative EDTA, which is added to blood samples collected in vials.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2018

DNA was purified by adding 30 μl of 20 mM EDTA, 5 μl of 3 M sodium acetate and 137 μl ice cold ethanol.

From Nature • Sep. 19, 2017

Dr. Thorne quickly ordered blood transfusions and put the child on EDTA, a chemical that attracts many metals to itself and eases them out of the body.

From Time Magazine Archive