Carvacrol and thymol in combination at 6.7 mM each completely inhibited the
production of short-chain volatile fatty acids and lactate from cattle was
te in anoxic flasks over 23 days. Fecal coliforms were reduced from 4.6 x 1
0(6) to 2.0 x 10(3) cells per ml 2 days after treatment and were nondetecta
ble within 4 days. Total anaerobic bacteria were reduced from 8.4 x 10(10)
to 1.5 x 10(7) cells per mi after 2 days and continued to be suppressed to
that level after 14 days. If the concentration of carvacrol or thymol were
doubled (13.3 mM), either could be used to obtain the same inhibitory ferme
ntation effect. We conclude that carvacrol or thymol may be useful as an an
timicrobial chemical to control pathogens and odor in stored livestock wast
e.