1. removing a carboxyl group (-COOH) from a molecule, typically in a chemical or biochemical reaction
Usage: technical; chemistry/biochemistry; present participle form of decarboxylate

Examples

• The enzyme is decarboxylating the amino acid to produce a biogenic amine.
• During fermentation, yeast cells are decarboxylating pyruvate to form acetaldehyde.
• The reaction involves decarboxylating the substrate in the presence of a catalyst.
• Decarboxylating organic compounds is a key step in many industrial chemical processes.
• The laboratory is decarboxylating the sample to measure the release of carbon dioxide.