1. converts organic nitrogen compounds into ammonia or ammonium compounds, especially through bacterial decomposition
Usage: technical; biology/chemistry; third-person singular present tense of ammonify

Examples

• Bacteria in the soil ammonifies dead plant material, releasing nitrogen for other organisms.
• The decomposition process ammonifies proteins and amino acids in the compost.
• Microorganisms ammonify urea, converting it into ammonia compounds.
• In wastewater treatment, the system ammonifies organic nitrogen to facilitate nutrient removal.
• The enzyme ammonifies the substrate during the nitrogen cycle in ecosystems.