gymnemicadj.
/dʒɪmˈniːmɪk//dʒɪmˈnɛmɪk/ Chemistry.
gymnemic acid n. an impure substance which is obtained from the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre and is believed to be the cause of the temporary loss of the ability to taste sweetness and bitterness which results when leaves of this plant are chewed.
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the world > matter > chemistry > organic chemistry > acids obtained from plants or trees > [noun] > from leaves
rhodotannic acid1853
gymnemic acid1887
1887 D. Hooper in Nature 14 Apr. 566/2 The body just described has the characteristics of an organic acid related in some particulars to chrysophanic acid, but having some distinctly peculiar reactions, and possessing the anti-saccharine property ascribed to the leaves. I propose to call it Gymnemic acid.
1901 E. B. Titchener Exper. Psychol. I. ii. 104 A saturated alcoholic solution of gymnemic acid.
1958 Jrnl. Indian Chem. Soc. 35 650 It is also not certain whether the amorphous substance, described as gymnemic acid..by Hooper is a single substance or not. Further, Hooper's claim that gymnemic acid constituted the anti~saccharine principle of the leaves has been challenged.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1933; most recently modified version published online June 2018).
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adj.1887