cutin

American  

[kyoo-tin] / ˈkju tɪn /

noun

1. a transparent, waxy substance constituting, together with cellulose, the cuticle of plants.

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cutin British  

/ ˈkjuːtɪn /

noun

1. a waxy waterproof substance, consisting of derivatives of fatty acids, that is the main constituent of the plant cuticle

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cutin Scientific  

/ kyo̅o̅t′n /

1. A waxlike, water-repellent polyester consisting of fatty acids and aromatic compounds that occurs naturally in the walls of many plant cells. Cutin acts together with wax to form the cuticle, a barrier protecting the aboveground surfaces of plants from water loss and microbial attack.

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Etymology

Origin of cutin

1860–65; < Latin cut ( is ) skin, cutis + -in ²

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cutin

"This layer is where the breakdown of cellulose and other natural polymers, such as cutin - a plant-based polyester - takes place."

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

Cellulose is the main structural component of plant cell walls, while cutin is a naturally occurring polyester that helps form the protective outer covering of plants.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

The discoverers of PETase also suggested that it may have evolved from bacterial enzymes used to break down cutin, a waxy polymer that coats leaves.

From Economist ● Apr. 16, 2018

The structure of the enzyme looked very similar to one evolved by many bacteria to break down cutin, a natural polymer used as a protective coating by plants.

From The Guardian ● Apr. 16, 2018

The term cuto-celluloses is applied to the group of substances, including suberin and cutin, which constitute waterproof cell-walls.

From The Chemistry of Plant Life by Roscoe Wilfred Thatcher

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