ptomaine
Rotting flesh compound
Ptomaine is a toxic compound produced by bacteria during the decay of animal or plant matter.
The term was once widely used in ptomaine poisoning to explain food-borne illness, though this usage is now outdated—most food poisoning comes from bacterial infection rather than the toxins themselves.
The word survives mainly in older texts and period fiction.
Bacterial breakdown of tissue
- decayGradual organic breakdown
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- spoilageFood degradation process
- cadaverBody for dissection
carrion · necrosis · putrescence · breakdown · foulness · rancidity · proteolysis · corruption
Food-derived vasoactive amine
- histamineAllergy-response compound
- cholineEssential dietary amine
- amineAmmonia-derived organic compound
- nitrogenousContaining nitrogen compounds
organic · alkaloid · biogenic · decarboxylation · amino · metabolite · biosynthesis · neurotoxin
Capable of causing harm
- noxiousHarmful, especially when inhaled
- poisonousCapable of causing death
- harmfulCausing damage or injury
- lethalCausing or capable of death
virulent · pathogenic · deleterious · pernicious · toxin · hazardous · dangerous · septic
Spread via consumed items
- food poisoningSickness from contaminated eating
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- gastroenteritisInflamed digestive tract illness
- nauseaPre-vomiting stomach discomfort
vomiting · diarrhea · cramps · botulism · salmonella · spoiled · illness · outbreak
putrefaction
Bacterial breakdown of tissue
cadaver · carrion · necrosis · putrescence · breakdown · foulness · rancidity · proteolysis · corruption · moldering
tyramine
Food-derived vasoactive amine
- histamineAllergy-response compound
- cholineEssential dietary amine
- amineAmmonia-derived organic compound
nitrogenous · organic · alkaloid · biogenic · decarboxylation · amino · metabolite · biosynthesis · neurotoxin · indole
toxic
Capable of causing harm
- noxiousHarmful, especially when inhaled
- poisonousCapable of causing death
- harmfulCausing damage or injury
lethal · virulent · pathogenic · deleterious · pernicious · toxin · hazardous · dangerous · septic · noisome
foodborne
Spread via consumed items
- food poisoningSickness from contaminated eating
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- gastroenteritisInflamed digestive tract illness
nausea · vomiting · diarrhea · cramps · botulism · salmonella · spoiled · illness · outbreak · tainted
ptomainebiosynthesis
Living production of molecules
anabolism · living tissue · amino acid · nutrient · growth factor
ptomainefreshness
State of being unspoiled
vitality · preservative · fresh meat · antiseptic · sterile