/euh spahr"tik/ , Biochem.
a nonessential amino acid, C 4 H 7 NO 4 , produced by the hydrolysis of asparagine and proteins, found chiefly in young sugar cane and sugar-beet molasses, and used in the preparation of culture media and as a dietary supplement. Abbr.: Asp; Symbol: D Also called aminosuccinic acid .
[ 1830-40; ASPAR(AGUS) + -TIC ]