casein

American  

[key-seen, -see-in, key-seen] / ˈkeɪ sin, -si ɪn, keɪˈsin /

noun

1. Biochemistry. a protein precipitated from milk, as by rennet, and forming the basis of cheese and certain plastics.

2. Fine Arts.

   1. an emulsion made from a solution of this precipitated protein, water, and ammonia carbonate.

   2. a paint in which this emulsion is used as a binder.

   3. a picture produced with this paint and emulsion.

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casein British  

/ -siːn, ˈkeɪsɪɪn /

noun

1. Also called (US): paracasein.  a phosphoprotein, precipitated from milk by the action of rennin, forming the basis of cheese: used in the manufacture of plastics and adhesives

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casein Scientific  

/ kā′sēn′,-sē-ĭn /

1. A white, tasteless, odorless mixture of related phosphoproteins precipitated from milk by rennin. Casein is very nutritious, as it contains all of the essential amino acids as well as all of the common nonessential ones. It is the basis of cheese and is used to make plastics, adhesives, paints, and foods.

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Etymology

Origin of casein

1835–45; < Latin cāse ( us ) cheese ¹ + -in ²

Example Sentences

The process starts with yeast that has been genetically modified to produce casein, the key protein in milk, instead of alcohol.

From BBC • Jul. 12, 2025

New Culture's involves using precision fermentation to grow casein, a dairy protein found in milk that Radman said is "the holy grail" for making cheese stretch, ooze, and melt when heated.

From Salon • Aug. 19, 2024

The fatty acid composition, phospholipid composition, and protein composition, including casein and whey protein genetic variations, were, in general, remarkably similar.

From Science Daily • Mar. 27, 2024

A casein micelle-whey protein complex performed the best.

From Science Daily • Sep. 19, 2023

There are 3.6 parts casein to 1 part soluble proteins, but these figures vary somewhat at times.

From Dietetics for Nurses by Proudfit, Fairfax T.