<chemical> A water soluble thiol, not of biological origin. Used in biochemistry to cleave disulphide bonds in proteins or to protect sulphydryl groups from oxidation. ... (18 Nov 1997) ... 
A pungent water-soluble thiol, not of biological origin. Used in biochemistry to cleave disulphide bonds in proteins or to protect sulphydryl groups from oxidation.
Type: Term Pronunciation: mer-kap′tō-eth′ă-nol Definitions: 1. A commonly used reducing agent.