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heterocyclic amine
noun
: an amine containing one or more closed rings of carbon and nitrogen
especially
: any of various carcinogenic amines formed when creatine or creatinine reacts with free amino acids and sugar in meat cooked at high temperatures
Examples of heterocyclic amine in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When muscle meats are over-cooked and burned, chemicals called HCAs (heterocyclic amines) are formed, which have been linked to an increased cancer risk in animals.
—NBC News, 21 June 2019
Grill like a pescatarian Cooking most meat at temperatures above 300°F can produce potentially cancer-causing chemicals called heterocyclic amines (HCAs), according to the National Cancer Institute.
—Jamie Ducharme, Time, 1 June 2018
The rub: Cooking meat at high temperatures over an open flame to create that great grilled flavor also creates cancer-causing chemicals called heterocyclic amines (HCAs).
—Andrea Thelen, Ms, Detroit Free Press, 9 July 2018
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Word History
First Known Use
1984, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of heterocyclic amine was
in 1984
Dictionary Entries Near heterocyclic amine
Cite this Entry
“Heterocyclic amine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heterocyclic%20amine. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
Medical Definition
heterocyclic amine
noun
: an amine containing one or more closed rings of carbon and nitrogen
especially
: any of various carcinogenic amines that are formed when creatine or creatinine reacts with free amino acids and sugar in meat cooked at high temperature
—abbreviation HCA
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