any of a group of compounds that form an intermediary group in the digestion of proteins to amino acids
See also proteose
Derived forms
peptonic (pɛpˈtɒnɪk)
adjective
Word origin
C19: from German Pepton, from Greek pepton something digested, from peptein to digest
peptone in American English
(ˈpɛpˌtoʊn)
noun
any of a group of soluble and diffusible derived proteins formed by the action of enzymes on proteins, as in the process of digestion, or by acid hydrolysis of proteins
Derived forms
peptonic (pepˈtonic) (ˈpɛpˈtɑnɪk)
adjective
Word origin
Ger pepton < Gr, neut. of peptos, digested < peptein: see pepsin