albumin

Any of a group of water-soluble proteins found in body fluids. The best known is in the form of egg white (albumen); others occur in milk, and as a major component of serum. They can be coagulated by heat.

The presence of serum albumin in the urine, termed albuminuria or proteinuria, may be indicative of kidney or heart disease.

Albumin and allied compounds are of great importance physiologically. They are nutritive, meaning that they can be broken down, and their constituent amino acids are used for tissue repair. In the blood they maintain osmotic pressure and plasma volume.