asparagine

[ uh-spar-uh-jeen, -jin ]

noun

1. a white, crystalline, amino acid, NH 2 COCH 2 CH(NH 2 )COOH, soluble in water, obtained from certain plants, especially legumes, and used chiefly as a nutrient in culture media for certain bacteria. : Asn; : N

asparagine

/ -dʒɪn; əˈspærəˌdʒiːn /

noun

1. a nonessential amino acid, a component of proteins

asparagine

/ ə-spăr′ə-jēn′ /

1. A nonessential amino acid. Chemical formula: C 4 H 8 N 2 O 3 .
2. See more at amino acid

Word History and Origins

Origin of asparagine¹

From French, dating back to 1805–15; asparagus, -ine ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of asparagine¹

C19: from French, from Latin asparagus asparagus + -ine ²

Example Sentences

The influence of small amounts of asparagine in enormously increasing the hydrolytic effect of amylase is an example.

From Project Gutenberg

It occurs in two optically active forms, namely, as laevo-asparagine and dextro-asparagine.

From Project Gutenberg

The diuretic action is extremely feeble, and neither the plant nor asparagine is now used medicinally.

From Project Gutenberg

In common with the marsh-mallow and some other plants, it contains asparagine or aspartic acidamide.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides solutions containing ammonium salts and urea, I have succeeded in nitrifying solutions of asparagine, milk, and rape cake.

From Project Gutenberg