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alliinase

noun
al·​li·​in·​ase | \ ˈa-lē-ə-ˌnās How to pronounce alliinase (audio) \
plural alliinases

Definition of alliinase

: an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of alliin to allicin in plants of the genus Allium (such as garlic and onion) But as soon as you crush or cut a clove of garlic, an enzyme called alliinase is released, converting alliin into allicin.— Judy Foreman, Boston Globe, 19 Feb. 1996

First Known Use of alliinase

1947, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for alliinase

borrowed from German Alliinase, from Alliin alliin + -ase -ase

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