monensin

[ moh-nen-sin ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a complex derivative of butyric acid, C 3 6 H 6 2 O 1 1 , produced by the bacterium Streptomyces cinnamonensis and used as an antibiotic in animals.

Word History and Origins

Origin of monensin¹

1967; < New Latin ( cinna ) monens ( is ) specific epithet of the bacterium ( cinnamon, -ensis; so called from the color of the aerial mycelium) + -in ²

Example Sentences

The lawsuit said that federal regulators previously had found that company feed samples contained “impermissibly high” levels of monensin, an antibiotic used to kill parasites and promote weight gain.

From Washington Times

The agency says the feed contained monensin, an animal drug toxic to horses.

From Washington Times

The FDA says the creamery operators did not properly clean the equipment to remove any traces of monensin before mixing the feed for the unnamed farm.

From Washington Times

U.S. authorities say the company sent a load of cattle feed into the U.S. that contained the antibiotic monensin at levels higher than allowed by the Food and Drug Administration.

From Washington Times

One of the most startling findings was that the air samples taken some 60 feet away from the feedlot had the same level of Monensin, an antibiotic given to cows to increase their rate of weight gain and help stave off disease, that was seen inside “large scale swine production houses.”

From Salon