I get email from several science oriented sites. Discovery News had a recent offering on “Scientists De-Stink Dung” that describes a process developed by the Monell Chemical Senses Center that uses a couple of techniques http://dsc.discovery.com/news/briefs/20060109/destunkdung_tec.html?dcitc=w10-001-ai-0000 .
They add a chemical, the ethyl ester of 3-methyl-2-octenoic acid, that is pleasant smelling but when added to manure renders it’s odor neutral. This compound takes advantage of a phenomenon called cross adaptation where one compound binds to its receptor and to the one for the bad odor blocking the effect of the nasty smelling compound(s). They also add certain undisclosed chemicals to reduce the effect of ammonia and sulfur containing compounds.
This process would be a boon for those of us who live with horse lovers. You see, horse lovers can’t smell the manure while the rest of the human race aware of its contribution to the atmosphere. This development could put us all on equal footing.
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