maltose

[ mawl-tohs ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a white, crystalline, water-soluble sugar, C 1 2 H 2 2 O 1 1 ⋅H 2 O, formed by the action of diastase, especially from malt, on starch: used chiefly as a nutrient, as a sweetener, and in culture media.

maltose

/ ˈmɔːltəʊz /

noun

1. a disaccharide of glucose formed by the enzymic hydrolysis of starch: used in bacteriological culture media and as a nutrient in infant feeding. Formula: C 12 H 22 O 11

maltose

/ môl′tōs′ /

1. A sugar made by the action of various enzymes on starch. It is formed in the body during digestion. Maltose is a disaccharide consisting of two linked glucose molecules. Chemical formula: C 12 H 22 O 11 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of maltose¹

First recorded in 1860–65; malt + -ose ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of maltose¹

C19: from malt + -ose ²

Example Sentences

Added sugars can also be found on the ingredients list, often labeled as glucose, fructose, maltose or sucrose.

From Salon

Honey, made from nectar by honeybees, is primarily a mixture of glucose and fructose monosaccharides with some maltose, sucrose and other carbohydrates.

From Salon

The yeast is tolerant of this acidic environment, and it ferments carbohydrates other than maltose to produce the carbon dioxide that leavens the bread.

From Scientific American

Male cockroaches’ gooey “gift” to females contains a sugar called maltose, which quickly breaks down into glucose when it comes in contact with saliva in the female’s mouth.

From Science Magazine

Instead of producing nuptial gifts containing more maltose, they produced ones that contained a more complex sugar, maltotriose.

From New York Times

Related Words

• cellulose
• glucose
• lactose
• starch
• sugar