A derived protein formed from the collagen of tissues by boiling in water; it swells up when put in cold water, but dissolves only in hot water; used as a hemostat, plasma substitute, and protein food adjunct in malnutrition. [L. gelo, pp. gelatus, to freeze, congeal]
- glycerinated g. a preparation made of equal parts of g. and glycerin; a firm mass liquefying at gentle heat; it is used as a vehicle for suppositories and urethral bougies. SYN: glycerin jelly, glycerogelatin, glycogelatin.
- Irish moss g. g. extracted from Irish moss; used to make the mucilage of Irish moss that is used as a substitute for gum arabic in making emulsions.
- zinc g. See zinc g..
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gel·a·tin also gel·a·tine 'jel-ət-ən n
1) glutinous material obtained from animal tissues by boiling esp a colloidal protein used as a food, in photography, and in medicine
2 a) any of various substances (as agar) resembling gelatin
b) an edible jelly made with gelatin
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n.
a jelly-like substance formed when tendons, ligaments, etc. containing collagen (a protein) are boiled in water. Gelatin has been used in medicine as a source of protein in the treatment of malnutrition, in pharmacy for the manufacture of capsules and suppositories, and in bacteriology for preparing culture media.
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gel·a·tin (jelґə-tin) [L. gelatina, from gelare to congeal] [NF] a product obtained by partial hydrolysis of collagen derived from the skin, white connective tissue, and bones of animals; used as a suspending agent. It is also used pharmaceutically in the manufacture of capsules and suppositories, has been suggested for intravenous use as a plasma substitute, and has been used as an adjuvant protein food.Medical dictionary. 2011.