'Putrefaction' is the decomposition of animal
proteins, especially by
anaerobic microorganisms, described as
putrefying bacteria.
Decomposition is a more general process. Putrefaction usually results in
amines such as
putrescine and
cadaverine, which have a putrid odor. Material that is subject to putrefaction is called putrescible.
In
alchemy, putrefaction is the same as
fermentation, basically meaning to allow the substance to
rot or
decompose, sometimes with a small sample of the desired original pure material to act as a "seed".
See also
★
Rancidification
★
Maceration