The foul smell of urine of a healthy man having healthy food, when spi

The foul smell of urine of a healthy man having healthy food, when spilled on floor, is mainly due to the bacterial decomposition of

urea into sulphur dioxide

sugar into carbon dioxide

lipids into methane

urea into ammonia

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This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2017

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When urine containing urea is exposed to air, bacteria (such as those commonly found in soil or on surfaces) break down the urea through a process called hydrolysis, producing ammonia. Ammonia is a volatile gas with a strong, pungent odor that causes the foul smell.

The enzymatic decomposition of urea by bacteria yields ammonia and carbon dioxide.

Fresh urine from a healthy individual is usually sterile and has little odor. The characteristic strong smell develops upon standing or spilling, due to the bacterial breakdown of urea. This is why ammonia is often used in cleaning products, although its smell is undesirable in other contexts.

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