Crossword Genius

Cooked crab I ate, the source of digestive problems? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bacteria

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'source of digestive problems?' is the definition.
'bacteria' can be an answer for 'source' (I have seen 'source of disease' mean 'bacteria' so perhaps 'source' could also mean 'bacteria'). I am unsure of the 'of digestive problems?' bit.

'cooked crab i ate' is the wordplay.
'cooked' indicates an anagram (letters cooked into a new form).
'crab'+'i'+'ate'='crabiate'
'crabiate' is an anagram of 'BACTERIA'.

'the' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bacteria that I've seen before include "Single-cell organisms, can be good or bad for you" , "The organisms are in bait race, strangely" , "Causes of many diseases" , "Microscopic organisms, good and bad" , "Microscopic organisms, can carry disease" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app