diastase

[ dahy-uh-steys, -steyz ]
/ ˈdaɪ əˌsteɪs, -ˌsteɪz /

an enzyme that breaks down starch into maltose, then dextrose, and is present in malt.

Origin of diastase

< French diastase (1833) < Greek diástasis; see diastasis, -ase

Words nearby diastase

diaschisis, diascope, diaspora, diaspore, diastalsis, diastase, diastasis, diastasuria, diastatic, diastem, diastema

Example sentences from the Web for diastase

British Dictionary definitions for diastase

diastase
/ (ˈdaɪəˌsteɪs, -ˌsteɪz) /

noun

any of a group of enzymes that hydrolyse starch to maltose. They are present in germinated barley and in the pancreas See also amylase

Derived forms of diastase

diastasic, adjective

Word Origin for diastase

C19: from French, from Greek diastasis a separation; see diastasis

Medical definitions for diastase

diastase
[ dī′ə-stās′, -stāz′ ]

n.

An amylase or a mixture of amylases that converts starch to dextrin and maltose, is found in certain germinating grains such as malt, and is used to make soluble starches, to aid the digestion of starches, and to digest glycogen in histological sections.