Why do faeces smell?

[biocupid]

I know this is kinda weird to ask a question like this but i really want to know

[david23]

sulfur, and maybe something else.

[calvin.ng.wh]

What could that something else be?

[sachin]

Nearly every orgaic matter has it's peculiar smell.

Feaces composed of mixture of organic matters and also this contains final products of enzymatic acions and the evolved gases...... all these smells in mixture and collectively an ODOUR.... Sweet No???

[Darby]

There are a lot of bacteria in there, many of which produce different gases and breakdown the leftover food in different ways.

I often tell my students that we are each unique ecosystems for the things that live on us and in us, producing unique mixtures of symbionts, and one gross example of that is how we all smell different.

[david23]

bacteria also has methane, which also smells bad

[biocupid]

any other gas released besides methane?

[arian]

there is also hydrogen Sulphur H2S. This gas has the same smell as eggs when they are not good.

[cracked_doc]

I think thats Hydrogen Sulphide ...

[MichaelXY]

After a bit of research I have determined that the objectionable odiferous smells eminating from flatulance are due to my wifes cooking

[MrMistery]

There are a number of gases that contribute to the smell, but methane is not one of them. Methane does not have any smell, that is the reason why they mix it with mercaptane, a sulphur containing gas before sending it to your stove: so gas leaks can be detected

Now, the gases that do smell. First of all H2S, which indeed smells like rotten eggs. Then there a number of those before mentioned gases-mercapatens- but different from the one they use in stoves(that is why it doesn't smell like feces). then there are some amines, mainly cadaverine and putresceine, produced by the intestinal flora. And many more...

[kotoreru]

Is there any ammonia/ammonium in there? Just curious...