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: any of various water-soluble products of partial hydrolysis of proteins
Examples of peptone in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Once completed, the 60,000 square foot biotech plant will be used to make animal-free peptone proteins that can be used to grow bacteria and other cultures in a lab.
—Dee Depass, Star Tribune, 22 June 2021
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Word History
Etymology
German Pepton, from Greek, neuter of peptos cooked
First Known Use
1855, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near peptone
Cite this Entry
“Peptone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peptone. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
peptone
noun
pep·tone
ˈpep-ˌtōn
: any of various products that result from the partial breakdown of proteins and that dissolve in water
Medical Definition
peptone
noun
pep·tone
ˈpep-ˌtōn
1
: any of various protein derivatives that are formed by the partial hydrolysis of proteins (as by enzymes of the gastric and pancreatic juices or by acids or alkalies), that are not coagulated by heat, and that are soluble in water but unlike proteoses are not precipitated from solution by saturation with ammonium sulfate
2
: a complex water-soluble product that contains peptones and other protein derivatives, is obtained by digesting protein (as meat) with an enzyme (as pepsin or trypsin), and is used chiefly in nutrient media in bacteriology
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