Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 3, 2026

The Effect of the Application of Thyme Essential Oil on Microbial Load During Meat Drying
Published on: March 14, 2018
Effect of carvacrol and thymol on odor emissions from livestock wastes
1US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, Nebraska 68933, USA.
Abstract:
A majority of the beef cattle and swine in the United States is produced in confined facilities. This generates significant environmental pollutants from the waste produced, including global warming gases, odor, and pathogens. The objectives of this study were to control the fermentation activity and pathogens in cattle and swine wastes with antimicrobial plant essential oils. Anaerobic one litre flasks with a working volume of 0.5 l were used to evaluate the effect of carvacrol and thymol on production of fermentation gas, short-chain volatile fatty acids, lactate, and bacterial populations. In cattle waste, 1 g l(-1) each of carvacrol and thymol completely inhibited the production of volatile fatty acids and lactate over 23 days. In swine waste, 2.5 g l(-1) carvacrol inhibited the production of all volatile fatty acids. We conclude that these essential oils are effective in controlling livestock waste odor emissions and field studies are warranted.
Related Concept Videos
Microbial Bioremediation of Hydrocarbons
Loss of Carboxy Group as CO2: Decarboxylation of β-Ketoacids
Olfaction
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
Loss of Carboxy Group as CO2: Decarboxylation of Malonic Acid Derivatives
Microbes in Food Production
Biological Methods for Microbial Control

