Polyamines are organic compounds with at least two amino groups, naturally produced in living organisms and involved in biological processes. They are also produced synthetically for industrial use, such as in electroplating and textile manufacturing. Natural polyamines are part of cell metabolism and signaling, and may regulate plant growth and apoptosis. Decay of dead organisms produces toxic putrescine and cadaverine, which are the primary source of bad odor in rotting meat.
Polyamines are organic chemical compounds with molecules composed of at least two amino groups. Many types of polyamines are naturally produced in living organisms, including humans, and are involved in some biological processes. There are also synthetic polyamines and they are produced for industrial use. These compounds are composed primarily of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen, and often have a strong ammonia-like odor.
Amino groups, or amines, are organic derivatives of ammonia (NH3) in which at least one hydrogen atom has been replaced by another atom or group of atoms, called a substituent or side chain. These substituents are often groups of single bonded carbon and hydrogen atoms called alkyl groups. Other amines have substituents called aromatic hydrocarbons, unusually stable substances such as benzene (C6H6) in which each carbon atom is bonded to two other carbon atoms by alternating single and double bonds to form a ring. Each polyamine consists of at least two amino groups, with the properties of each polyamine varying according to its components.
These compounds are produced in all known life forms. Naturally occurring polyamines such as spermidine (C7H19N3), putrescine (C4H12N2) and cadaverine (C5H14N2) are part of the process of cell metabolism and signaling. The precise role played by natural polyamines in biochemistry is not yet fully understood, but inhibition of polyamine synthesis is known to slow or stop cell growth. In plants, polyamines are among the chemicals that function as plant hormones, regulating plant growth, development, and senescence. Polyamines may also be involved in the process of apoptosis or programmed cell death.
Large quantities of polyamines are produced naturally by the decay of dead organisms as their amino acids break down, producing putrescine and cadaverine. These substances have a very strong odor and are the primary source of the bad odor produced by rotting meat. They are toxic in large doses, although small amounts are also produced in the cells of healthy, living organisms.
Many polyamines are also produced synthetically and used for industrial purposes, such as the production of other chemicals in the chemical industry. Polyamine ethylenediamine (C2H8N2) and its derivatives are used for processes such as electroplating, photo developing and polyester manufacturing, and as ingredients in products such as paints, coolants and animal feed. Mexamethylenediamine (C6H16N2) and industrially synthesized putrescine are used to produce nylon polymers, which are important for the textile industry. Mexamethylenediamine is also used to make some types of polyurethane, another polymer widely used in consumer and industrial goods.
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