Cadaverine is a foul-smelling diamine compound 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. Putrescine and cadaverine were first described in 1885 by the Berlin physician Ludwig Brieger (1849–1919). Cadaverine is the decarboxylation product of the amino acid lysine. However, this diamine is not purely associated with putrefaction. It is also produced in small quantities by living beings. It is partially responsible for the distinctive odors of urine. Elevated levels of cadaverine have been found in the urine of some patients with defects in lysine metabolism. The odor commonly associated with bacterial vaginosis has been linked to cadaverine and putrescine. Cadaverine is toxic in large doses. In rats it had an acute oral toxicity of more than 2000 mg/kg body weight.
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