inulin Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun used to manufacture fructose and in assessing kidney function

WordNet

In"u*lin noun
Etymology
From NL. Inula Helenium, the elecampane: cf. F. inuline.
Definitions
  1. (Chem.) A substance of very wide occurrence. It is found dissolved in the sap of the roots and rhizomes of many composite and other plants, as Inula, Helianthus, Campanula, etc., and is extracted by solution as a tasteless, white, semicrystalline substance, resembling starch, with which it is isomeric. It is intermediate in nature between starch and sugar. Called also dahlin, helenin, alantin, etc. also = alant starch. a polysaccharide found in Compositae [MI11]

Webster 1913