ptomaine

ptomaine /pto·maine/ (to´mān) (to-mān´) any of an indefinite class of toxic bases, usually considered to be formed by the action of bacterial metabolism or proteins.

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pto·maine (tmn, t-mn)

n.

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

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ptomaine

[tō′mān]

Etymology: Gk, ptoma, corpse

an imprecise term introduced in the 19th century to identify a group of nitrogenous substances found in putrefied proteins. Because injection of the substances produced toxic reactions, the ptomaines were once regarded as poisonous. Later studies showed that the same substances were produced by the normal digestion of proteins in the human intestine without toxic effects.

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ptomaine

any of an indefinite class of toxic bases, usually considered to be formed by the action of bacterial metabolism on proteins.

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ptomaine poisoning

a term commonly misapplied to food poisoning. Contrary to popular belief, ptomaines are not injurious to the carnivorous or omnivorous digestive systems, which are quite capable of reducing them to harmless substances. Decomposed foods are often responsible for food poisoning, however, because they may harbor certain forms of poison-producing bacteria, especially Clostridium botulinum.