Analysis of Odorants in Marking Fluid of Siberian Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) Using Simultaneous Sensory and Chemical Analysis with Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction and Multidimensional Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry-Olfactometry

Scent-marking is the most effective method of communication in the presence or absence of a signaler. These complex mixtures result in a multifaceted interaction triggered by the sense of smell. The objective was to identify volatile organic compound (VOC) composition and odors emitted by total marking fluid (MF) associated with Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris altaica). Siberian tiger, an endangered species, was chosen because its MF had never been analyzed. Solid phase microextraction (SPME) for headspace volatile collection combined with multidimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry for simultaneous chemical and sensory analyses were used. Thirty-two VOCs emitted from MF were identified. 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, the sole previously identified compound responsible for the “characteristic” odor of P. tigris MF, was identified along with two additional compounds confirmed with standards (urea, furfural) and four tentatively identified compounds (3-methylbutanamine, (R)-3-methylcyclopentanone, propanedioic acid, and 3-hydroxybutanal) as being responsible for the characteristic aroma of Siberian tiger MF. Simultaneous chemical and sensory analyses improved characterization of scent-markings and identified compounds not previously reported in MF of other tiger species. This research will assist animal ecologists, behaviorists, and zookeepers in understanding how scents from specific MF compounds impact tiger and wildlife communication and improve management practices related to animal behavior. Simultaneous chemical and sensory analyses is applicable to unlocking scent-marking information for other species

Determining an optimal method for the detection of odorous volatile organic compounds in tiger marking fluid in an effort to aid conservation

Chemical communication plays an integral part of conserving tigers. Tigers, elephants, lions, and many other mammals use marking fluid (MF) and other excrements as means to communicate with each other and their ecosystem. This research focuses on understanding which compounds eluted in tiger (MF) contribute to the overall odor of MF. Specifically, which compounds are responsible for behavioral responses. This study collected MF samples from four, sixteen year old Panthera tigris tigris from South Khayerbari Tiger Rescue Center in West Bengal, India. In this work, MF has been studied to gain a perspective on how tigers utilize MF for territorial and reproductive communication. Specifically, this study expanded upon previous research methodologies that characterized the odor of MF, of Panthera tigris tigris, based on thin-layer chromatography (TLC). TLC was utilized for the separation and identification of lipid compounds. Alkali was added to the TLC paper for the identification of compounds, specifically 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP). This research study compared the concepts of TLC against solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and multidimensional gas chromatography mass spectrometry-olfactometry (mdGC-MS-O) for detection of odorous volatile organic compounds. TLC analysis of the samples was performed at the University of Calcutta and mdGC-MS-O work was performed at Iowa State University. The mdGC-MS-O technique uncovered 19 odorous compounds including 2-AP, suggesting that 2-AP is not the only contributing odor to the smell of Panthera tigris tigris M

Renewable biocatalyst for swine manure treatment and mitigation of odorous VOCs, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions: Review

Comprehensive control of odors, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), ammonia (NH3), and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with swine production is a critical need. The objective of this paper is to review the use of soybean peroxidase (SBP) and peroxides as a manure additive to mitigate emissions of odorous volatile organic compounds (VOC), NH3, H2S, and GHGs. Soybean peroxidase plus peroxide (SBPP) was tested as a mitigation technology for swine manure emissions on three scales (lab, pilot and farm). Several laboratory scale experiments were completed to assess SBPP dosages and type of oxygen source mixed into swine manure and surface application. A pilot scale experiment was done with surface application of SBPP and multiple dosages to observe scale up effects. Finally, a farm scale trial was completed to assess the SBPP treatment to a swine manure surface under a fully slatted barn floor. The ‘gated‘ approach to testing SBPP from lab- to pilot- and finally the farm-scale was appropriate and allowed for controlled experiments with sufficient replication. This approach resulted in gradual decrease of the dose of SBP, decreasing the cost of treatment, increase of treatment longevity, inclusion of many key gases of concern to the experimental protocol, and finally testing the treatment on farm-scale. To date, the farm-scale results indicate that SBPP can be effective in mitigating many important odorous gas emissions without increasing GHGs. Specifically, a 2.28 kg m-2 SBP dose mixed with 4.2% CaO2 added by weight and added to manure surface resulted in significant reductions in gaseous emissions of NH3(21.7%), H2S (79.7%), n-butyric acid (37.2%), valeric acid (47.7%), isovaleric acid (39.3%), indole (31.2%), and skatole (43.5%). Emissions of DMDS/MT increased by 30.6%. Emissions of p-cresol were reduced by 14.4% but were not statistically significant. There were no significant changes to the GHG emissions of CH4, CO2 and N2O. The treatment cost (SBP+CaO2) was $1.45 per marketed pig of which the cost of SBP was only ~40%. Thus, further research is needed to optimize the dose and the cost of catalysts