dextran

noun

dex·​tran ˈdek-stran 

-strən

: any of numerous glucose biopolymers of variable molecular weight that are produced especially by the fermentation of sucrose by bacteria (such as genus Leuconostoc), are found in dental plaque, and are used especially in blood plasma substitutes

Examples of dextran in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are also newer formulations of iron by injection, which are sometimes necessary and don’t have near as much potential for a reaction as the old iron dextran injections. —Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 12 Apr. 2023

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

dextran

noun

dex·​tran ˈdek-ˌstran  -strən 

: any of numerous biopolymers (C₆H₁₀O₅)_n of variable molecular weight that are produced especially by the fermentation of sucrose by bacteria of the genus Leuconostoc (as L. mesenteroides), are found in dental plaque, and are used especially after suitable chemical modification as blood plasma substitutes, as packing materials in chromatography, and as pharmaceutical agents compare levan