Journal of Animal Science, Vol 79, Issue 12 2949-2956, Copyright © 2001 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

In vitro study of the biochemical origin and production limits of odorous compounds in cattle feedlots

D. N. Miller and V. H. Varel
U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, ARS, USDA, Clay Center, NE 68933-0166, USA. miller@email.marc.usda.gov

Livestock odors are closely correlated to airborne concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOC), which are a complex mixture of carbon-, sulfur-, and nitrogen-containing compounds produced primarily during the incomplete anaerobic fermentation of animal manure by microorganisms. Volatile fatty acids, alcohols, and aromatic ring compounds comprise a substantial fraction of VOC, yet very little is known about their biochemical origin and environmental factors controlling their production. The anaerobic production of fermentation products and consumption of substrates (CP, starch, and nonstarch carbohydrate) were analyzed in slurries of fresh (< 24 h) and aged (> 1 d) cattle manure over several weeks. Ethanol, acetate, propionate, butyrate, lactate, and H2 were the major products of fermentation. Aged cattle manure produced twice the concentration of VFA during incubation produced by the fresh manure (P < 0.001). Aromatic compounds (phenols, indoles, and benzoates) remained unchanged in both manures. Production of VFA from fresh manure was inhibited when the pH fell below 4.5. It is likely that the presence of calcareous soil, which has a high buffering capacity, and lactate-consuming microorganisms minimized acidification in the aged manure slurries. Low starch content limited VFA production in the aged manure. Starch was the likely biochemical source for fermentation products in both manures based on the strong negative correlations between fermentation product and starch content (r = -0.944 and -0.773) and ratio of fermentation products produced to starch consumed (r = 0.64 and 0.72) for fresh and aged manure, respectively. Nonstarch carbohydrate served an indeterminate role in the production of fermentation products. Nonstarch carbohydrate decreased by 4.7 and 23.4 g/L in the fresh and aged manure, respectively, whereas the starch content decreased by 18.6 and 22.4 g/L in the fresh and aged manure, respectively. The concentration of CP did not change, which suggests a balance between protein consumption and new bacterial biomass production. We conclude that the types of substrates in cattle manure and the feedlot soils where they are deposited are significant factors in the production of odors.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. J. Spiehs and V. H. Varel Nutrient excretion and odorant production in manure from cattle fed corn wet distillers grains with solubles J Anim Sci, September 1, 2009; 87(9): 2977 - 2984. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Shabtay, U. Ravid, A. Brosh, R. Baybikov, H. Eitam, and Y. Laor Dynamics of offensive gas-phase odorants in fresh and aged feces throughout the development of beef cattle J Anim Sci, May 1, 2009; 87(5): 1835 - 1848. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Maeda, R. Morioka, and T. Osada Effect of Covering Composting Piles with Mature Compost on Ammonia Emission and Microbial Community Structure of Composting Process J. Environ. Qual., February 6, 2009; 38(2): 598 - 606. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. H. Varel, J. E. Wells, E. D. Berry, M. J. Spiehs, D. N. Miller, C. L. Ferrell, S. D. Shackelford, and M. Koohmaraie Odorant production and persistence of Escherichia coli in manure slurries from cattle fed zero, twenty, forty, or sixty percent wet distillers grains with solubles J Anim Sci, December 1, 2008; 86(12): 3617 - 3627. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Sun, Y. Pan, Y. Zhao, W. A. Jackson, L. M. Nuckles, I. L. Malkina, V. E. Arteaga, and F. M. Mitloehner Effects of sodium bisulfate on alcohol, amine, and ammonia emissions from dairy slurry. J. Environ. Qual., March 1, 2008; 37(2): 608 - 614. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Sun, S. L. Trabue, K. Scoggin, W. A. Jackson, Y. Pan, Y. Zhao, I. L. Malkina, J. A. Koziel, and F. M. Mitloehner Alcohol, volatile fatty acid, phenol, and methane emissions from dairy cows and fresh manure. J. Environ. Qual., March 1, 2008; 37(2): 615 - 622. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. N. Miller, E. D. Berry, J. E. Wells, C. L. Ferrell, S. L. Archibeque, and H. C. Freetly Influence of genotype and diet on steer performance, manure odor, and carriage of pathogenic and other fecal bacteria. III. Odorous compound production J Anim Sci, September 1, 2006; 84(9): 2533 - 2545. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. L. Archibeque, D. N. Miller, H. C. Freetly, and C. L. Ferrell Feeding high-moisture corn instead of dry-rolled corn reduces odorous compound production in manure of finishing beef cattle without decreasing performance J Anim Sci, July 1, 2006; 84(7): 1767 - 1777. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. N. Miller and E. D. Berry Cattle Feedlot Soil Moisture and Manure Content: I. Impacts on Greenhouse Gases, Odor Compounds, Nitrogen Losses, and Dust J. Environ. Qual., March 1, 2005; 34(2): 644 - 655. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. N. Miller and V. H. Varel Swine manure composition affects the biochemical origins, composition, and accumulation of odorous compounds J Anim Sci, September 1, 2003; 81(9): 2131 - 2138. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. N. Miller and V. H. Varel An in vitro study of manure composition on the biochemical origins, composition, and accumulation of odorous compounds in cattle feedlots J Anim Sci, September 1, 2002; 80(9): 2214 - 2222. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]