alloxan

[ uh-lok-suhn ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a white crystalline pyrimidine derivative, C 4 H 2 O 4 N 2 , used in biomedical research to induce diabetes in laboratory animals.

Word History and Origins

Origin of alloxan¹

< German, equivalent to All ( antoïn ) allantoin + Ox ( alsäure ) oxalic acid + -an -an; coined by J. von Liebig in 1838

Example Sentences

Sulphuretted hydrogen gas is passed, in a full stream, through a moderately strong aqueous solution of alloxan, in the cold.

From Project Gutenberg

The impure mother-liquor from which crystals of alloxan have separated, if diluted with water, may be used for this purpose.

From Project Gutenberg

When caffeine is carefully oxidized with chlorine, it yields dimethyl-alloxan and methyl-urea.

From Project Gutenberg

Dialuric, dī-a-lū′rik, adj. pertaining to alloxan and uric acid.

From Project Gutenberg