Genetically engineered E. coli can be made to smell pleasant by inserting genes that produce specific scent molecules. Scientists have created versions that smell like wintergreen, bananas, or lemons by altering the bacteria to produce compounds like methyl salicylate or limonene. In contrast, standard, non-engineered E. coli often has a foul odor due to the production of indole, which is why it is associated with fecal matter.
Engineered E. coli with pleasant smells
Wintergreen: A team at MIT engineered E. coli to produce methyl salicylate, the compound responsible for the smell of wintergreen, according to NPR.
Bananas: Some projects have programmed E. coli to smell like bananas by using enzymes to convert isoamyl alcohol into isoamyl acetate, reports Nature.
Lemons: Other researchers have genetically engineered E. coli to produce limonene, the compound that gives lemons their citrus scent.
Vanilla: A strategy exists to engineer E. coli to convert the plastic PET into vanillin, the main compound in vanilla, says the American Society for Microbiology.
If we can make our SHIT not stink just think how much easier we breathe and I if come out with this will definitely support death penalty for anyone with stinky poop.