DIASTASE

n. Di'as-staz. Lat., diastasium (from Siaorcuris, separation). Fr., d. Ger., Diastase, diastatische Ferment. It., diastasi. Sp., didst as is. Syn.: a my lotic ferment. 1. The albuminous matter of grain brought by_ the proce of germination (malting) into a peculiar state in which it acts as a ferment on the starch contained in the grain, converting it into dextrin and sugar, and thus rendering it soluble. [A, 1.] 2. A ferment, of the genus Coniomycetes, which, mixed with starch, becomes glucose: said to be found in all parts of animals and plants. [A, 396 (a, 21); B. 5 (a, 21).] Animal d. Fr., d. animale. Ger., thierische D. See D. (2d def.). D. pancreatique (Fr.). See PANCREATIN. D. salivaire (Fr.). See PTYALIN. Pancreatic d. See PANCREATIN and AMYLOPSIN. Salivary d., Speicheld' (Ger.). See PTYALIN. Vegetable d. Fr., d. vegetate. Ger., Pflanzendiastase. See D. DIASTASEMIE (Fr.), [s. 556]