Evaluation of an Electronic Nose Coupled with In Vitro Fecal Fermentation as a Screening Tool for Fecal Odor in Cats
Issued Date
2026-03-01
Resource Type
eISSN
20762615
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105032695391
Journal Title
Animals
Volume
16
Issue
5
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Animals Vol.16 No.5 (2026)
Suggested Citation
Jenjirawatn K., Kovitvadhi A., Chotchutima S., Chundang P., Areerat S., Homyog K., Akrimajirachoote N. Evaluation of an Electronic Nose Coupled with In Vitro Fecal Fermentation as a Screening Tool for Fecal Odor in Cats. Animals Vol.16 No.5 (2026). doi:10.3390/ani16050801 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/115792
Title
Evaluation of an Electronic Nose Coupled with In Vitro Fecal Fermentation as a Screening Tool for Fecal Odor in Cats
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Abstract
In vitro fecal inoculation coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has been used for evaluating fecal deodorants. However, high cost and complex data interpretation limit its routine application. An electronic nose (eNose) offers a rapid, cost-effective alternative. This study aimed to evaluate the eNose as a screening tool for fecal odor compared with solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SPME GC-MS) and to examine the in vitro effects of fecal deodorant supplements on fecal odor profiles. Feces from ten healthy cats were serially diluted (1:1 to 1:8) and analyzed using both instruments. Four dietary supplements—Yucca schidigera extract (YSE), Quillaja saponaria extract (QSE), fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and oat beta-glucans (OBG)—were tested at concentrations of 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 g/100 mL. The eNose showed comparable performance to GC-MS in discriminating among sample dilutions. In vitro fermentation showed that FOS and OBG significantly increased volatile fatty acid (VFA)-related sensor responses while signals linked to ammonia and sulfur compounds were reduced. QSE had minimal effect, whereas YSE produced moderate changes. The total sensor response intensities did not differ between treatments. These findings indicate that prebiotic supplements exert stronger effects than saponin-based supplements and highlight the potential of eNoses with in vitro fermentation for rapid screening of fecal deodorants.