oxidase

noun ox·i·dase \ ˈäk-sə-ˌdās , -ˌdāz \

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Definition of oxidase

: any of various enzymes that catalyze oxidations; especially : one able to react directly with molecular oxygen

—

oxidasic

play \ˌäk-sə-ˈdā-sik, -zik\ adjective

Recent Examples of oxidase from the Web

For instance, while several groups of scientists have found that glucose oxidase can produce electricity in biofuel cells implanted in lab rats, the enzyme also generates hydrogen peroxide, a common bleach.

— charles q. choi, The Atlantic, "Your Heartbeat Could Power a Smartphone," 12 Apr. 2018
That thinking falls in line with the fact that people who have a genetic defect in their NADPH oxidase gene have a much higher risk of getting an invasive fungal infection during their lifetime.

— beth mole, Ars Technica, "We inhale up to 10 billion mold spores daily; here’s why you haven’t died yet," 8 Sep. 2017
The reason that apples turn brown soon after their fleshy innards are exposed is an enzyme known as polyphenol oxidase, or PPO.

— danny lewis, Smithsonian, "The First Non-Browning GMO Apples Slated to Hit Shelves Next Month," 23 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oxidase.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.