substancefrom

Substancefrom is a term used in information systems to denote the origin or source of a chemical substance. In this context, it functions as a field or attribute within data models that records where the substance comes from, such as a natural source, a synthetic route, or a reclamation process. The concept can be implemented as a single value or as a structured object listing the source category (natural, synthetic, semi-synthetic, recombinant, or mineral) and, when available, the specific source entity (for example, Camellia sinensis leaf or Streptomyces sp.).

Purpose and usage: The substancefrom attribute supports traceability, regulatory reporting, and provenance tracking across supply chains and research workflows. In pharmacology and natural products research, distinguishing origin helps interpret biological activity, compliance with harvesting or extraction rules, and patent considerations.

Relation to other terms: Substancefrom is related to concepts such as provenance, origin, and production method. It complements fields like production process, method, or supplier. It is not a widely adopted standard; in existing ontologies, similar information might be captured by provenance or source concepts, sometimes under the term 'origin.'

Standardization and examples: Because there is no universal definition, implementations vary. A typical schema might define allowed values for the source category and provide controlled vocabularies for common sources. Use of substancefrom should align with broader data governance policies to ensure consistency and interoperability. This article treats substancefrom as a proposed data attribute used to denote origin; it is not part of any formal standard.