casein

American  

[kay-seen, -see-in, kay-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  

/ ˈkeɪsɪɪn, -siːn /

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

casein

In a recent study published in Polymers, researchers created a thin, flexible film using calcium caseinate, a commercially available form of casein, the primary protein found in milk.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 28, 2026

Other companies also use bacteria or fungi to produce casein.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2025

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

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

Analyses of large numbers of Cheddar cheeses manufactured in every month of the cheese-making season show the average composition of ripe specimens to be—water, 35.58%; fat, 31.33; casein, 29.12; mineral matter or ash, 3.97.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 9 "Dagupan" to "David" by Various

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