chymosin

views updated May 29 2018

chymosin Enzyme in the abomasum of calves and the stomach of human infants which clots milk by precipitation of the casein. Also known as rennin. Biosynthetic chymosin is used in cheese making (vegetable rennet). See also cheese.

A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition DAVID A. BENDER

rennin

views updated Jun 11 2018

rennin A protease enzyme, found in the abomasum fourth stomach) of ruminants, which causes curdling of milk through the conversion of the soluble protein caseinogen to the insoluble casein. This is then attacked by the enzyme pepsin.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

rennin

views updated Jun 11 2018

rennin (chymosin) An enzyme secreted by cells lining the stomach in mammals that is responsible for clotting milk. It acts on a soluble milk protein (caseinogen), which it converts to the insoluble form casein. This ensures that milk remains in the stomach long enough to be acted on by protein-digesting enzymes.

A Dictionary of Biology

rennin

views updated Jun 08 2018

ren·nin / ˈrenin/ • n. an enzyme secreted into the stomach of unweaned mammals, and in some lower animals and plants, causing the curdling of milk.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

rennin

views updated Jun 27 2018

rennin (ren-in) n. an enzyme produced in the stomach that coagulates milk. It converts caseinogen (milk protein) into insoluble casein in the presence of calcium ions. This ensures that the milk remains in the stomach, exposed to protein-digesting enzymes, for as long as possible.

A Dictionary of Nursing