penicillinase

noun

pen·i·cil·lin·ase ˌpe-nə-ˈsi-lə-ˌnās

-ˌnāz

: beta-lactamase

specifically : a beta-lactamase that hydrolyzes and inactivates penicillin

Examples of penicillinase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Penicillin is susceptible to degradation by a bacterial enzyme called penicillinase, which is normally used to remodel the cell wall when the bacteria are dividing. —

Bill Sullivan, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2021 The first beta-lactamase, penicillinase, was discovered in 1940 ($, pdf). —

Veronique Greenwood, Discover Magazine, 8 Apr. 2011

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