diastase

American  

[dahy-uh-steys, -steyz] / ˈdaɪ əˌsteɪs, -ˌsteɪz /

1. an enzyme that breaks down starch into maltose, then dextrose, and is present in malt.

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diastase British  

/ ˈdaɪəˌsteɪs, -ˌsteɪz /

noun

1. any of a group of enzymes that hydrolyse starch to maltose. They are present in germinated barley and in the pancreas See also amylase

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Other Word Forms

• diastasic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of diastase

< French diastase (1833) < Greek diástasis; see diastasis, -ase

Example Sentences

In 1925 Seubert of Germany found plant-stimulating substances outside of plants�in saliva, pepsin, malt extract, diastase.

From Time Magazine Archive

Fermentation by means of a soluble ferment or diastase, a phenomenon which may almost be called vital, is also a catalytic action.

From The Mechanism of Life by Leduc, Stéphane

The ferment diastase is one of the tools with which plants perform their miracles of chemical activity. 

From Rustic Sounds and Other Studies in Literature and Natural History by Darwin, Francis, Sir

They are, however, not affected by diastase; and generally are more resistant to hydrolysis.

From Researches on Cellulose 1895-1900 by Cross, C. F.

To prepare diastase, barley is allowed to germinate; germination is then interrupted by raising the temperature, and the grain is treated with a mixture of water and alcohol under pressure, and filtered.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 1: Deposition to Eberswalde by Various