Cadaverine

Cadaverine is a foul-smelling polyamine produced by protein hydrolysis during putrefaction of animal tissue. Cadaverine is a toxic diamine with the formula NH₂(CH₂)₅NH₂, which is similar to putrescine. Cadaverine is also known by the names 1,5-pentanediamine and pentamethylenediamine. Cadaverine is the decarboxylation product of the amino acid lysine.

It is not purely associated with putrefaction though. It is also produced in small quantities by living beings. It is partially responsible for the distinctive smell of semen.

See also

• Putrescine