1. A class of organic compounds synthesized by polyketide synthase enzymes, consisting of chains of acetyl units linked together; widely found in bacteria, fungi, and plants, and used in antibiotics, anticancer drugs, and other pharmaceuticals.
Usage: technical; biochemistry; plural form of polyketide

Examples

• Polyketides are essential building blocks in the production of many clinically important antibiotics.
• Researchers study polyketides to understand how microorganisms synthesize complex natural products.
• The antibiotic erythromycin is a well-known example of a polyketide compound.
• Polyketides are generated through the sequential condensation of malonyl-CoA units.
• Many polyketides exhibit potent biological activities, making them valuable in drug development.