mucin

[myoo-sin]

noun

Biochemistry.

1. any of a class of glycoproteins found in saliva, gastric juice, etc., that form viscous solutions and act as lubricants or protectants on external and internal surfaces of the body.

mucin

/ ˈmjuːsɪn /

noun

1. biochem any of a group of nitrogenous mucoproteins occurring in saliva, skin, tendon, etc, that produce a very viscous solution in water

Other Word Forms

• mucinous adjective
• mucinoid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mucin¹

First recorded in 1825–35; muc- + -in ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of mucin¹

C19: via French from Latin _mucus

Example Sentences

K-beauty products are often more attractively priced than their Western counterparts - but also feature ingredients that are not as commonly found in the West - from heartleaf to snail mucin.

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After a snail mucus skin care boom in South Korea, the product—also referred to as snail mucin or secretion—was widely shared on social media.

Read more on National Geographic

One particular item took off — a snail mucin essence from popular Korean brand COSRX.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Even if the tear supply is adequate, a mucin deficiency can impede wetting of the cornea and damage its surface.

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A lung secretion induces mucus production, and the researchers began by testing its individual components to see which ones upregulated the genes for the proteins mucin 5B and mucin 5AC — two major constituents of mucus.

Read more on Nature