melittin
English edit
Etymology edit
Borrowed from German Melittin, from Attic Greek μέλιττα (mélitta, “bee”) + German -in.
Pronunciation edit
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /mɛˈlɪt.ɪn/
- (General American) IPA(key): /məˈlɪt.ən/
Noun edit
melittin (countable and uncountable, plural melittins)
- (biochemistry) A peptide, containing 26 amino acids, which is present in bee venom and has been used experimentally as an antibacterial agent, especially against penicillin-resistant bacteria.
References edit
- “melittin”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
- “melittin”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.