Decomposition or rotting, the breakdown of organic matter usually by bacterial action, resulting in the formation of other substances of less complex constitution with the evolution of ammonia or its derivatives and hydrogen sulfide; characterized usually by the presence of toxic or malodorous products. SYN: decay (2), decomposition. [L. putre-facio, pp. -factus, to make rotten]
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pu·tre·fac·tion .pyü-trə-'fak-shən n
1) the decomposition of organic matter esp the typically anaerobic splitting of proteins by bacteria and fungi with the formation of foul-smelling incompletely oxidized products
2) the state of being putrefied
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n.
the process whereby proteins are decomposed by bacteria. This is accompanied by the formation of amines (such as putrescine and cadaverine) having a strong and very unpleasant smell.
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pu·tre·fac·tion (pu″trə-fakґshən) [L. putrefactio] enzymic decomposition, especially of proteins, with the production of foul-smelling compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and mercaptans. Cf. fermentation. putrefactive, putrid adjMedical dictionary. 2011.