methionine
nounUK /mɪˈθʌɪəniːn/ · US /mɛˈθaɪəˌniːn/
Etymology From methyl + thio- + -n- + -ine.
1
Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Natural sciences, Organic chemistry, Physical sciences A sulphur-containing amino acid, C₅H₁₁NO₂S, in L- and D-forms.
2
Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Natural sciences, Organic chemistry, Physical sciences The L-form thereof, a lipotropic molecule widely occurring in living organisms and found in most protein; in humans it is an essential amino acid.
- The purpose was to make soya beans more healthy for those for whom they are a staple food by correcting soya beans' natural deficiency in a chemical called methionine.1999, Matt Ridley, Genome, Harper Perennial, published 2004, page 253: