Simple phenols and indoles in anaerobically stored piggery wastes

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Abstract
Phenol, p‐cresol, 4‐ethylphenol, indole and skatole, which contribute to a large extent to the bad smell of piggeries, were estimated in anaerobically stored piggery wastes. p‐Cresol, indole and skatole were also found in freshly voided faeces. Phenol, p‐cresol and 4‐ethylphenol are present in the urine as their glucuronides. It was shown that upon contact of urine and faeces, the urinary glucuronides are hydrolysed almost instantly liberating phenols. This hydrolysis is caused by the high β‐glucuronidase activity of faeces. Protein degradation followed by transformation of tyrosine and tryptophane were found to be additional processes contributing to the accumulation of phenol, p‐cresol, indole and skatole during the anaerobic storage of piggery wastes.
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