alliinase

noun

al·​li·​in·​ase ˈa-lē-ə-ˌnās 

plural alliinases

: an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of alliin to allicin in plants of the genus Allium (such as garlic and onion)

But as soon as you crush or cut a clove of garlic, an enzyme called alliinase is released, converting alliin into allicin.

—Judy Foreman, Boston Globe, 19 Feb. 1996

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Alliinase, from Alliin alliin + -ase -ase

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

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