nitrosamine

[ nahy-troh-suh-meen, nahy-trohs-am-in ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. any of a series of compounds with the type formula R 2 NNO, some of which are carcinogenic, formed in cured meats by the conversion of nitrite.

nitrosamine

/ ˌnaɪtrəʊsəˈmiːn; ˌnaɪtrəʊsˈæmiːn /

noun

1. any one of a class of neutral, usually yellow oily compounds containing the divalent group =NNO

nitrosamine

/ nī-trō′sə-mēn′,nī′trōs-ăm′ēn /

1. Any of a class of organic compounds with the general formula R 2 NNO or RNHNO, where R is an organic radical. Nitrosamines are present in various foods and other products, and certain ones are very carcinogenic.

Word History and Origins

Origin of nitrosamine¹

1875–80; nitros- ( def ) + amine