ptomaine

pto·maine  (tmn, t-mn)

n.

A basic nitrogenous organic compound produced by bacterial putrefaction of protein.

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[Italian ptomaina, from Greek ptma, corpse, from piptein, pt-, to fall; see pet- in Indo-European roots.]

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ptomaine or ptomain [toe-main]

Noun

any of a group of poisonous alkaloids found in decaying matter [Greek ptoma corpse]

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ptomaine  (tmn)

Any of various toxic nitrogenous organic compounds produced by bacterial decomposition of protein, especially in dead animal tissue. Ptomaines are bases and are formed by removing the carboxyl group (COOH) from amino acids. They do not cause food poisoning, as was previously thought, but the term ptomaine poisoning is still used to describe food poisoning caused by bacteria.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	ptomaine - any of various amines (such as putrescine or cadaverine) formed by the action of putrefactive bacteria ptomain amine, aminoalkane - a compound derived from ammonia by replacing hydrogen atoms by univalent hydrocarbon radicals putrescine - a colorless crystalline ptomaine with a foul odor that is produced in decaying animal matter cadaverine - a colorless toxic ptomaine with an unpleasant odor formed during the putrefaction of animal tissue
	2.	ptomaine - a term for food poisoning that is no longer in scientific use; food poisoning was once thought to be caused by ingesting ptomaines ptomaine poisoning food poisoning, gastrointestinal disorder - illness caused by poisonous or contaminated food