Ptomaine (Noun)
Meaning 1
A term for food poisoning that is no longer in scientific use; food poisoning was once thought to be caused by ingesting ptomaines.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
Any of various amines (such as putrescine or cadaverine) formed by the action of putrefactive bacteria.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- The toxic substances released by decaying fish were likely a mix of ptomaine and other putrefaction byproducts.
- A build-up of ptomaine in spoiled food is what typically gives off its distinctive, nauseating smell.
- Early research focused on ptomaine as the likely culprit behind food poisoning.
- Experts soon discovered that a type of ptomaine was indeed a product of microbial putrefaction in perishable items.
- Toxins produced during bacterial growth and resulting in the creation of ptomaine cause this intense response to the putrid flesh.