
[Middle English putrefaccioun, from Late Latin putrefactiō, putrefactiōn-, from putrefactus, past participle of Latin putrefacere, to make rotten. See putrefy.]
noun
Enzymatic decomposition, especially of proteins, with the production of foul-smelling compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and mercaptans. Called also decomposition.
The rotting of matter through the use of enzymes, producing substances such as ammonia, mercaptans, and hydrogen sulfide.
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Pallor mortis |
Putrefaction is one of seven stages in the decomposition of the body of a dead animal. It can be viewed, in broad terms, as the decomposition of proteins, in a process that results in the eventual breakdown of cohesion between tissues and the liquefaction of most organs.
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In terms of thermodynamics, all organic tissue is a stored source of chemical energy and when not maintained by the constant biochemical efforts of the living organism it will break down into simpler products. The breakdown of proteins in a decomposing carcass is a spontaneous process but one that is accelerated as the anaerobic microorganisms, already present in the animal's digestive tract when it was alive, consume and digest the proteins that comprise the creature's cells. As cells and their proteins are digested, the tissues of the body are left in a weakened state. Proteins are broken down into smaller components and these are excreted by the bacteria. The excreted components, which include gases and amines such as putrescine and cadaverine, carry the putrid odor associated with a decomposing body. The gases are initially constrained within the body cavities but diffuse though adjacent tissues and into the circulatory system. Once in the blood vessels, the gases can then spread to other parts of the body. The result is visible bloating of the torso and then limbs. The increased internal pressure due to the rising volume of gas also helps to weaken and separate tissues. At some point, some part of the body will rupture, releasing the gas. As the bacteria consume all available proteins, the process of decomposition progresses into the next stage: skeletonization.
The term decomposition is a generalized expression covering the overall process from the death of the individual until skeletonization of the body. Putrefaction is only one stage of that process. Material that is subject to putrefaction is called putrescible.
The exact rate of putrefaction is dependent upon many factors, such as weather, exposure and location. Thus, refrigeration at a morgue or funeral home can retard the process, allowing for burial in three days or so following death without embalming. The rate increases dramatically in tropical climates.
The University of Tennessee's Forensic Anthropology Facility is a body farm established in 1981 to study human putrefaction. Several others have been built in other locations since that time.
In alchemy, putrefaction is the same as fermentation, whereby a substance is allowed to rot or decompose, undisturbed. In some cases, the commencement of the process is facilitated with a small sample of the desired material to act as a "seed".[citation needed]
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Dansk (Danish)
n. - forrådnelse
Deutsch (German)
n. - Zersetzung
Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - αποσύνθεση, σήψη
Italiano (Italian)
putrefazione
Português (Portuguese)
n. - putrefação (f)
Русский (Russian)
гниение, разложение
Español (Spanish)
n. - putrefacción
Svenska (Swedish)
n. - förruttnelse, röta, ruttenhet
中文(简体)(Chinese (Simplified))
腐败, 腐败物
中文(繁體)(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 腐敗, 腐敗物
العربيه (Arabic)
(الاسم) تعفن, فساد
עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ריקבון, רקבובית, הפרשת מוגלה
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