| bile esculin test | A biochemical test used in characterizing group O streptococci, based on the ability of organisms to grow in a medium containing bile and to hydrolyze esculin. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| esculin | <chemistry> A glucoside obtained from the aesculus hippocastanum, or horse-chestnut, and characterised by its fine blue fluorescent solutions. Alternative forms: aesculin. See: Esculic. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| acid hydrolysis | A chemical process in which acid is used to convert cellulose or starch to sugar. (05 Dec 1998) |
| hydrolysis | <chemistry> The splitting of a compound into fragments by the addition of water, the hydroxyl group being incorporated in one fragment and the hydrogen atom in the other. Origin: Gr. Lysis = dissolution (18 Nov 1997) |
| enzymatic hydrolysis | A process by which enzymes (biological catalysts) are used to break down starch or cellulose into sugar. (05 Dec 1998) |