zein
/ˈziːɪn
/noun [mass noun] Biochemistry
The principal protein of maize.They showed that rats fed on zein, the major protein of maize endosperm, died of protein starvation....
- The researchers believed one approach was to develop a less expensive process to separate a valuable protein - zein - from corn.
- Unlike other corn proteins, which are water soluble, zein repels water, making it an ideal coating material.
Origin
Early 19th century: from modern Latin Zea (genus name of maize) + -in1.