separating of compounds into simpler substances by the action of microbial and/or autolytic enzymes
decomposing
a group of nitrogen based on compounds with an unpleasant odor and associated with decomposition of organic tissue
ptomaine
the decomposition of proteins by the enzymatic activity of anaerobic bacteria
putrefaction
amine defintion + characteristics (5)
an organic compound containing nitrogen with the general formula of R-NH2
- Lewis base
- similar to ammonia
- produced as decomposition products
- strong odor (fish/ammonia smell)
derivative of carboxylic acids in which a hydroxyl group is substituted with an amine or ammonia having the general formula of R-CONH-R’
- similiar to phenols
- carboxylic acid + amine
- simple amides are derived from ammonia
amide
the building blocks of proteins that contain an amino group (-NH2) and a carboxyl (-COOH) group
amino acid
a biological component that is a polymer of many amino acids
protein
Nitrogen overview (6)
- main component of amino acids and proteins
- important component of DNA & RNA
- decomposition results in excess nitrogen in the body
- discolorations and odors associated with decomposition are often associated with nitrogen
- some pathologies can cause a build up of urea
- nitrogen based compounds create alkalinity in the body
subcategories of amines (3)
- primary amine
- secondary amine
- tertiary amine
one alkyl or aromatic group
2 subcategories
- methylamine
- aniline
primary amine
putrefaction component of primary amine
methylamine
common in polymers, precursor to acetaminophen
-subcategory of primary amine
aniline
two alkyl or aromatic groups
secondary amine
three alkyl or aromatic groups
-has trimethlyamine as subcategory
tertiary amine
decomposition product of tertiary amine
trimethylamine
amines as bases (3)
- nitrogen atom has a lone electron pair that can bind H+ and form ammonium ion
- a hydrogen bond between water + nitrogens lone electrons forms
- alkalinity depends on the size of the bonded R groups (bulky R groups make the amine less basic)
Ammonia as a preservative scavenger (4)
- free ammonia is a by product of decomposition
- especially prevalent in certain pathologies and extreme decomposition
- increases preservative demand
- results in the presence of urotropin
a group of nitrogen compounds with an unpleasant odor and associated with decomposition of organic tissue
-has 3 sub cats ; putrescine and cadaverine
ptomaines
nitrogen based, unpleasant smelling, compound produced by the decomposition of organic material
putrescine
an unpleasant smelling, nitrogen based, compound produced by the decomposition of organic material
cadaverine
surface disinfectants that are generally used for disinfection of skin, oral and nasal cavities and intrsuments
- surfactants and disinfectants
- positively charged nitrogen center
- not amines but very similar
quaternary ammonium compounds
compounds that occur when any atom other than carbon is introduced into an aromatic ring
- heterocyclic amine occurs when that atom is nitrogen
- some heterocyclic amines of interest
heterocyclic amines
5 member of heterocyclic ring
-subunit of heme
pyrrole
- decomp protein
- produced from tryptophan in the digestive tract
- in low concentrations can be used a sa fragrance (flowery smell)
skatole
