glutamic acid

noun

glu·​tam·​ic acid (ˌ)glü-ˈta-mik- How to pronounce glutamic acid (audio)
: a crystalline amino acid C5H9NO4 widely distributed in plant and animal proteins

Examples of glutamic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Its fermentation process promotes the growth of probiotics and creates amino acids, including glutamic acid. Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2024 These antibodies, found in excess in most people with SPS, block the glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) enzyme, which is important to the production of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter. Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024 Also concerning are Magnesium Aspartate and Magnesium Glutamate because of the additional ingredients — glutamic acid and aspartic acid, that are added. Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 29 Jan. 2024 The switch of an A to a T in the genetic code for hemoglobin results in a hemoglobin protein with a valine instead of a glutamic acid at the sixth amino acid position. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023 When the gene is used to make hemoglobin beta chain, the GTG encoding causes the amino acid valine to be inserted as the sixth amino acid instead of glutamic acid. David Warmflash, Discover Magazine, 10 June 2016 Folic acid, or folate, plays a key role in protein and DNA synthesis, hemoglobin formation, and the metabolism of certain amino acids, such as homocysteine and glutamic acid. Veronica Cristino, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2023 The sauce proved to be a protein bomb, especially rich in glutamic acid, the same amino acid that gives Parmesan cheese, tamari sauce and cooked mushrooms their savory, umami intensity. Taras Grescoe, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2021 In vitro binding of heavy metals by an edible biopolymer poly(γ-glutamic acid). Alice Chi Phung, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'glutamic acid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary gluten + amino + -ic

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of glutamic acid was in 1871

Dictionary Entries Near glutamic acid

Cite this Entry

“Glutamic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glutamic%20acid. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

glutamic acid

noun
glu·​tam·​ic acid (ˌ)glü-ˌtam-ik- How to pronounce glutamic acid (audio)
: an amino acid found in many plant and animal proteins and used in the form of a sodium salt as a seasoning

Medical Definition

glutamic acid

noun
glu·​tam·​ic acid (ˌ)glü-ˌtam-ik- How to pronounce glutamic acid (audio)
: a crystalline amino acid C5H9NO4 that is widely distributed in plant and animal proteins and that acts throughout the central nervous system especially in the form of a salt or ester as a neurotransmitter which excites postsynaptic neurons
abbreviation Glu

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