Dictionary

polyketide

noun poly·ke·tide \ˌpä-lē-ˈkē-ˌtīd\

Definition of POLYKETIDE

:  any of a large class of diverse compounds that are characterized by more than two carbonyl groups connected by single intervening carbon atoms, that are produced especially by certain bacteria and fungi, and that include various substances (as erythromycin and lovastatin) having antibiotic, anticancer, cholesterol-lowering, or immunosuppressive effects
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Origin of POLYKETIDE

International Scientific Vocabulary poly- + ket- + -ide
First Known Use: 1927
Medical Dictionary

polyketide

noun poly·ke·tide \ˌpäl-ē-ˈkē-ˌtīd\

Medical Definition of POLYKETIDE

:  any of a large class of diverse compounds that are characterized by more than two carbonyl groups connected by single intervening carbon atoms, that are produced especially by certain bacteria and fungi, and that include various substances (as erythromycin and lovastatin) having antibiotic, anticancer, cholesterol-lowering, or immunosuppressive effects

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