MeSH Browser

MeSH Heading: Lecithins
Tree Number(s): D10.570.755.375.760.400.800.806; D20.215.784.500.492
Unique ID: D054709
RDF Unique Identifier: http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D054709
Scope Note: A complex mixture of PHOSPHOLIPIDS; GLYCOLIPIDS; and TRIGLYCERIDES; with substantial amounts of PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINES; PHOSPHATIDYLETHANOLAMINES; and PHOSPHATIDYLINOSITOLS, which are sometimes loosely termed as 1,2-diacyl-3-phosphocholines. Lecithin is a component of the CELL MEMBRANE and commercially extracted from SOYBEANS and EGG YOLK. The emulsifying and surfactant properties are useful in FOOD ADDITIVES and for forming organogels (GELS).
Entry Term(s): Lecithin
Pharm Action: Surface-Active Agents
Previous Indexing: Phosphatidylcholines (1977-2007)
Public MeSH Note: 2008, 1963-1976; see PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINES 1977-2007
History Note: 2008, 1963-1976; use PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINES 1977-2007
Date Established: 2008/01/01
Date of Entry: 2007/07/09
Revision Date: 1955/01/01

Allowable Qualifiers: administration & dosage (AD)

adverse effects (AE)

agonists (AG)

analysis (AN)

antagonists & inhibitors (AI)

biosynthesis (BI)

blood (BL)

cerebrospinal fluid (CF)

chemical synthesis (CS)

chemistry (CH)

classification (CL)

deficiency (DF)

economics (EC)

genetics (GE)

history (HI)

immunology (IM)

isolation & purification (IP)

metabolism (ME)

pharmacokinetics (PK)

pharmacology (PD)

physiology (PH)

poisoning (PO)

radiation effects (RE)

standards (ST)

supply & distribution (SD)

therapeutic use (TU)

toxicity (TO)

urine (UR)

Lecithins MeSH Descriptor Data 2025