Analyzing Fetid Odors from Paederia foetida Linn. and Chicken Manure and Deciphering Their Educational Functions

Many animals and plants have been named based on their biological characteristics. Deciphering the relationships between scientific features and names of organisms can be an important pathway for nature education programs. In this study, fetid odors from Paederia foetida Linn. and chicken manure were investigated using headspace solid-phase micro-extraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The plants were collected from the Kunming Botanical Garden, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The analyses revealed a significant difference in the composition of volatile compounds between P. foetida and chicken manure. The main compounds isolated from the leaves of P. foetida were 2-hexenal (34.3%), 2-hexen-1-ol (19.7%) and dimethyl disulfide (6.9%), whereas the main compounds isolated from chicken manure were indole (22.6%), dimethyl trisulfide (15.5%) and phenol (9.5%). Although the smell of P. foetida has led to its common name ‘chicken manure vine’, the real composition of volatile compounds from the vine differs significantly from that of chicken manure. This study could provide new insights into developing public and environmental education, stimulating public curiosity and promoting public discovery of nature.