AIR POLLUTION FROM ANIMAL WASTES - DETERMINATION OF MALODORS BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHIC AND ORGANOLEPTIC TECHNIQUES

A combination of gas chromatographic and organoleptic techniques was used to determine the chemical compounds responsible for the offensive odor ofaccumulated liquid poultry manure. The volatile odorous substances were trapped and concentrated inshort sections of gas chromatographic columns held at - 78° C., separated by gas chromatography and identified by the correspondence between relative retention timeand the odors of the peaks for the unknowns and authentic compounds. Mercaptans, sulfides, and diketones were identified. Volatile organic acids and the nitrogen heterocycles, indole and skatole, were alsoidentified, using direct injections of liquid manure supernatant and standard gas chromatographic techniques. The sulfur compounds, organic acids, and skatole were implicated as important malodorous components involved in air pollution. The prevention of the formation of the malodorous substances was suggested as the best means of control of air pollution from animalwastes. © 1969, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.