proteico

Proteico is an adjective used in several Romance languages to denote relation to proteins or to substances that contain proteins. In Spanish and Portuguese, the form proteico (masculine) or proteica (feminine) is common; in Italian, proteico and proteica serve the same function. The word derives from proteina, the term for protein, itself rooted in Greek elements.

In biology and biochemistry, proteico is used to describe properties, structures, or materials associated with proteins, such as la estructura proteica (protein structure) or el contenido proteico (protein content). It is also used to characterize protein-rich substances, i.e., materials that primarily consist of or contain proteins.

In nutrition and food science, proteico appears in phrases like dieta proteica (high-protein diet) and alimento proteico (protein-rich food), as well as suplementos proteicos such as whey or soy protein products. The term helps distinguish protein-centric nutrition from diets focused on fats or carbohydrates.

In other fields, proteico often contrasts with terms for non-protein macronutrients, and when translating into English it is usually rendered as proteinaceous or protein-related. In scientific writing, more specific terms such as proteína are used depending on the context.

See also: proteomics, proteome, proteins.