cadaverine

American  

[kuh-dav-uh-reen] / kəˈdæv əˌrin /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a colorless, viscous, toxic ptomaine, C 5 H 14 N 2 , having an offensive odor, formed by the action of bacilli on meat, fish, and other protein: used in polymerization and biological research.

---

cadaverine British  

/ kəˈdævəˌriːn /

noun

1. a toxic diamine with an unpleasant smell, produced by protein hydrolysis during putrefaction of animal tissue. Formula: NH 2 (CH 2 ) 5 NH 2

---

Etymology

Origin of cadaverine

First recorded in 1885–90; cadaver + -ine ²

Example Sentences

In contrast, the more a baby was formula fed, the higher their levels of a metabolite called cadaverine, a known contaminant formed via fermentation.

From Science Daily • Dec. 13, 2023

In the study, the more a child was formula fed, the higher their levels of cadaverine and the lower their test scores at age 2.

From Science Daily • Dec. 13, 2023

Not everyone wants to sniff the compounds known as putrescine and cadaverine — this particular sample isn’t as awful as you might think — but many eagerly take part in the final display.

From New York Times • Apr. 26, 2023

The polyamines putrescine and cadaverine, which are the products of protein breakdown after animal death, are the source of the pungent smell of decaying meat.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Possible scents include two byproducts of decomposition: putrescine and cadaverine.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2012