How Do You Spell LECITHIN?

Pronunciation: [lˈɛsɪθˌɪn] (IPA)

Lecithin is a yellowish-brown fatty substance that is essential for cell membranes and nerve function. The spelling of this word is represented by the IPA phonetic transcription [ləˈsɪθɪn], which consists of three syllables. The first syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound, followed by the /s/ sound in the second syllable. The third syllable contains the /θ/ sound, which is followed by the /ɪn/ sound. Lecithin is commonly used as an emulsifier in food and cosmetics due to its ability to blend water and oil-based ingredients together.

LECITHIN Meaning and Definition

  1. Lecithin refers to a yellow-brownish, fatty substance that naturally occurs in various tissues and organs of plants and animals. It is commonly extracted as a byproduct of refining vegetable oils, particularly soybean oil. This waxy substance belongs to a class of compounds called phospholipids, which constitute the structural component of cell membranes in living organisms.

    Lecithin possesses exceptional emulsifying properties, meaning it can disperse and combine two or more immiscible substances, like oil and water, that would otherwise separate. This ability makes it a fundamental ingredient in many food and commercial products, such as chocolates, baked goods, sauces, dressings, and margarines. It serves as an effective stabilizer, preventing the separation of ingredients and enhancing their texture and consistency.

    Additionally, lecithin acts as a natural emollient, possessing moisturizing and conditioning properties, which make it a valuable component in skincare and cosmetic products. It aids in maintaining and restoring the skin's moisture barrier, promoting hydration, softness, and suppleness.

    Beyond its role in the food and cosmetics industries, lecithin also serves as an essential nutrient for the human body. It contains choline, a vital nutrient necessary for various bodily functions, including brain development, nervous system regulation, and liver function. As a result, lecithin supplements are available to ensure adequate choline intake.

    Overall, lecithin plays a crucial role in both the industrial and biological realms due to its emulsifying, moisturizing, and nutritional properties.

  2. One of a number of complex bodies, compounds of chlorine with glycerophosphoric acid and fatty acids, found in nervous tissue, blood, milk, yolk of egg, and other animal structures, as well as in vegetable organisms; vegetable lecithin is said to contain betaine instead of choline. Lecithin, as used in medicine, is prepared from the yolk of egg by abstracting with alcohol; it occurs as a brownish yellow substance of waxy consistency, insoluble in water, but soluble in absolute alcohol and fatty oils. Employed in cases of faulty nutrition in doses of gr. 1/2-2 (0.03-0.13).

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Top Common Misspellings for LECITHIN *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for LECITHIN

Etymology of LECITHIN

The word "lecithin" derives from the Greek term "lekithos", meaning "egg yolk". It was named by the French chemist and pharmacist Maurice Gobley, who first isolated the substance in 1845. During his research, Gobley extracted lecithin from egg yolks and determined its chemical composition. As a result, he named the newly discovered compound "lecithin" to reflect its origin from the Greek word for egg yolk.

Similar spelling words for LECITHIN

Plural form of LECITHIN is LECITHINS

Infographic

Add the infographic to your website: