autolysis meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

autolysis

noun

US /əˈtɑ.ləˌsɪs/

Etymology From auto- (“self”) + -lysis (“breakdown”).

Biology, Cytology, Medicine, Natural sciences, Pathology, Sciences The destruction of an organism's cells by enzymes produced by the organism itself.

Medicine, Pathology, Sciences The autodigestion of the tissues of an organism.

Medicine, Pathology, Sciences The autocytolysis of blood cells.

Beverages, Food, Lifestyle, Oenology, Wine The decomposition of dead yeast cells in wine after fermentation.

Baking, Cooking, Food, Lifestyle A two-stage mixing process where water and flour are combined first before adding leavening and salt.

Autolysis involves combining only the flour and water and letting them sit for 15– 30 minutes before adding the leavening and salt. According to Calvel, this initial preparation gives the starch and the gluten proteins a chance to absorb as much water as possible without the interference of salt, and allows the gluten chains to shorten more […]2004, Harold McGee, chapter 10, in On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen, Scribner, →ISBN: