The smell described as fecal and floral is due to which class of compounds?

The smell described as fecal and floral is due to which class of compounds?

• A. Alcohols
• B. Amines - indole (purescine, cadaverine)
• C. Thiols
• D. Esters

Answer: (B)

Fecal and floral smells come from nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds known as amines. In particular, indole and related molecules like skatole arise from microbial metabolism of amino acids such as tryptophan. Indole can contribute a floral, even pleasant note at low levels, but at higher concentrations it takes on a fecal character, which is why these compounds are associated with both smells. Skatole and cadaverine are other amine-based compounds that carry strong foul odors, reinforcing the link between this scent profile and amines. The other classes—alcohols, thiols, and esters—tend to produce fruity or sulfurous odors or other profiles, not the characteristic fecal/floral combination linked to indole-type amines.

Fecal and floral smells come from nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds known as amines. In particular, indole and related molecules like skatole arise from microbial metabolism of amino acids such as tryptophan. Indole can contribute a floral, even pleasant note at low levels, but at higher concentrations it takes on a fecal character, which is why these compounds are associated with both smells. Skatole and cadaverine are other amine-based compounds that carry strong foul odors, reinforcing the link between this scent profile and amines. The other classes—alcohols, thiols, and esters—tend to produce fruity or sulfurous odors or other profiles, not the characteristic fecal/floral combination linked to indole-type amines.