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Glite Dictionary
triterpene

triterpene

9.6
A chemical made of six small parts that is often in plants and sometimes in animals
  • noun
  • /ˈtraɪtərˌpiːn/
  • Specialized
: triterpeno
  • Many traditional medicines use plants that are rich in triterpenes for their healing properties.
  • triterpene glycosides

Examples

  • Scientists discovered a rare triterpene in the bark of the ancient tree.

  • The laboratory analyzed the chemical structure of the new triterpene compound.

  • The triterpene is extracted from various plants.

  • Many triterpenes have medicinal properties.

  • Researchers identified a unique triterpene present in the leaves of a rare plant species.

  • Several triterpenes found in herbs are believed to contribute to their anti-inflammatory effects.

  • The study focused on the therapeutic benefits of a specific triterpene derived from plant extracts.

How Many Isoprenes

triterpene
  • Specialized
9.6
sesquiterpene
  • Specialized
1 9.9

Surface Forms

triterpene singular
triterpenes plural

Morphology

triterpene = terpene (semi-transparent) = tri + terpene + tri

The formation is regular (tri- + terpene), but 'terpene' is a specialised technical term, so learners unfamiliar with it may not infer the full meaning.

Etymology

The word triterpene combines tri- ('three') and terpene, the name for oily chemicals first found in tree resins like turpentine. So a triterpene is literally made of three terpene parts, which helps explain why it is a larger plant chemical often found in bark and used in traditional medicines.