ester
Meaning of ester: An ester is a chemical compound formed from an acid and an alcohol, a structural class that includes dietary fats and certain local anesthetics.
Definition of ester
An ester is a chemical compound formed when an acid, often an organic acid, reacts with an alcohol and a molecule of water is released, creating a new bond characteristic of this class of compounds. Esters make up an extremely broad chemical category found throughout biology and industry.
Triglycerides, the main form of fat stored in the body and found in many foods, are esters formed from glycerol, an alcohol, and fatty acids. Esters are also responsible for the characteristic scent of many essential oils extracted from plants, and they are used industrially in products such as plastics and solvents.
In pharmacology, some local anesthetic drugs, such as procaine, are classified as ester type anesthetics, distinguishing them from amide type anesthetics such as lidocaine. Ester type anesthetics are broken down by enzymes circulating in the blood, while amide type anesthetics are instead broken down mainly by the liver, a difference that can influence drug choice and allergy risk.
Used in a sentence
The fatty tissue sample was analyzed for its ester content as part of the laboratory workup.
Good to know
Ester type local anesthetics are broken down by enzymes in the blood, while amide type anesthetics are broken down mainly in the liver, a distinction relevant to metabolism and allergic reaction risk.