additive (redirected from additives)

ad·di·tive (d-tv)

n.

A substance added in small amounts to something else to improve, strengthen, or otherwise alter it.

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addi·tive adj.

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additive

[ad′itiv]

any substance added intentionally or indirectly that becomes a part of the food, pharmaceutical, or other product. Additives may be introduced in growing, processing, packaging, storage, or cooking or other final preparation for consumption.

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additive,

n an ingredient added to a food, drug, or other preparation to produce a desired result, such as color or consistency, unrelated to the primary purpose of the preparation.

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additive

1. characterized by addition.

2. a substance added to another to improve its appearance, increase its nutritive value, etc. See feed additive.

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food additive

material added to food; includes preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilizers, acids, nonstick agents, humectants, firming agents, antifoaming agents, colorings and flavorings, solvents, and even nutritive materials such as minerals and vitamins.

additive gene action

1. total contribution made by all loci to a polygenic trait.

2. when the heterozygote is intermediate in phenotype between the two homozygotes, i.e. a lack of dominance.

additive genetic relationship

the degree of relationship (number of genes held in common) between two individuals neither of which is inbred; the minimum relationship is 0 and the maximum is 1.0.

additive genetic variance

variance attributed to the mean effect of substituting one allele for another at any given loci.

intramammary infusion additive

agents, e.g. anti-inflammatories, added to improve pharmacological efficacy.

additive relationship

see additive genetic relationship (above).