choline

[ koh-leen, kol-een ]

noun

1. Biochemistry. a quaternary ammonium cation, C 5 H 14 N + O, one of the B-complex vitamins, found in the lecithin of many plants and animals.
2. choline hydroxide, C 5 H 15 NO 2 , the viscous, strongly alkaline commercial form of this compound, usually synthesized, used as a feed supplement, especially for poultry, and in medicine in certain liver conditions.
3. choline chloride, C 5 H 14 ClNO.

choline

/ ˈkəʊliːn; -ɪn; ˈkɒl- /

noun

1. a colourless viscous soluble alkaline substance present in animal tissues, esp as a constituent of lecithin: used as a supplement to the diet of poultry and in medicine for preventing the accumulation of fat in the liver. Formula:[(CH 3 ) 3 NCH 2 CH 2 OH] ⁺OH ^–

choline

/ kō′lēn′ /

1. A natural amine often classed in the vitamin B complex. It is incorporated into the structure of many other biologically important molecules, such as acetylcholine and lecithin. Chemical formula: C 5 H 15 NO 2 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of choline¹

First recorded in 1855–60; chol- + -ine ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of choline¹

C19: from chole- + -ine ², so called because of its action in the liver

Example Sentences

The Verona facility produces choline chloride, an animal feed additive that helps livestock gain weight.

From ProPublica

They also showed that treating these cells with extra choline, a nutrient found in foods such as meat, fish, eggs, and broccoli, could reverse many of these effects.

From MIT Technology Review

The researchers hope their findings will lead to clinical studies of choline.

From MIT Technology Review

They argued that because trimethylamine was not obtained in this case choline was not present.

From Project Gutenberg

Without the choline, lecithin would be a di-fatty acid derivative of glycero-phosphoric acid.

From Project Gutenberg

From choline it may be separated by recrystallising the mercuric precipitate from hot water.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a product of the decomposition of choline, betaine, and neuridine, when these substances are distilled with potash.

From Project Gutenberg

An atom of hydrogen from the choline, CH2, group, being replaced by hydroxyl.

From Project Gutenberg