Identification of Odorous Compounds from Swine Facilities
Two fundamental questions in odor research need to be answered to assess odor problems:
- What types and levels of compounds compose of swine odor?
- Which compounds are most responsible for swine odor?
Without a clear answer to these questions, measurement and control of swine odor will be a slow trial and error process. In this project, we are using a gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer (Figure - A Varian Saturn model GC/MS in the Air Quality Laboratory, UIUC.) to map the compounds in swine odor.
A GC/MS is an all-purpose tool to identify and quantify the multitude of odorous compounds. The spectrum can be thought of as a fingerprint which allows us to identify the unknown compound. A search of the library determines that the unknown peak is acetic acid as shown in the bottom graph.
Quantification of identified compounds is accomplished by utilizing standard curves derived from known compound concentrations. The GC/MS offers an advantage of positively identifying odorous compounds, which is necessary when dealing with measurement and control of an odor.
Related Papers
Odor Carrying Characteristics of Dust from Swine Facilities