What does the word protein mean?
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One of a group of substances constituting the greater part of animal and vegetable tissues; they are formed chiefly by plants. They are of very complex constitution, all containing carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, and some containing in addition iron, phosphorus, or sulphur; chemically they are regarded as peptides ( polypeptides) or combinations of aminoacids and their derivatives. They are colorless, odorless, in general tasteless, and of varying degrees of solubility; they are putrefiable and readily undergo chemical change, hydrolysis, under the influence of ferments and on boiling with dilute acids or alkalies.
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A product of the decomposition of albumen, &c., by potassa. When animal albumen, fibrin or casein is dissolved in a moderately strong solution of caustic potassa, and the solution is exposed for some time to a high temperature, these substances are decomposed. The addition of acetic acid causes, in all three, the separation of a gelatinous translucent precipitate which has exactly the same characters and composition. This is protein. - Mulder. Protein is the basis of animal and vegetable fibrin, albumen, and casein, and of gluten, which have been, consequently, classed under the "proteinaceous aliment. Try principle," by Dr. Pereira.
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