A person can recognize over 10,000 different odors thanks to the 12 million olfactory receptor cells in the nose. And this is still a little compared to the 100-300 million receptor cells that dogs have, which allows them to distinguish more than 40,000 different smells.
A disgusting smell is not an experience we enjoy. But the fact remains: many things in the world smell not very pleasant, and sometimes they frankly stink. And if you do not want to face one of them, then it is worth knowing in advance which objects are considered the most foul-smelling on Earth and even in space... Their list was prepared by the scientific publication ScienceAlert. A gas mask is not required when reading.
6. Uranium - the smell of rotten eggs
Space pioneers exploring Uranus will have a hard time. Recently, a group of astronomers found out that in the atmosphere of one of the largest planets in the solar system hydrogen sulfide is present. It gives Uranus the rotten egg smell that makes many people sick.
5. Durian - the smell of feces, socks and onions
In fifth place on the list of the most stinking objects in the world is the durian fruit. It is very common in Southeast Asia, but is native to Malaysia. Although a large number of people living in Southeast Asia love this fruit, many find its smell to be terrible. Some foreigners describe it as a mixture of amber from faeces, old socks, rotting onions and turpentine.
Due to its aroma, this fruit is banned in some places, such as Singapore. Ironically, durian is very beneficial for those who live in Southeast Asia. There it is used to flavor traditional dishes and also as a medicine for fever.
4. Rafflesia arnoldii - cadaverous smell
When you see a flower, your instinct says that it will smell good. But this is not true in the case of Rafflesia Arnold - one of the the largest flowers on Earth... When this giant blooms, it fills the air with the smell of rotting flesh. Because of this, the plant has received the nickname "cadaveric flower".
This smell attracts special pollinators to Rafflesia such as flies, dung beetles and some carnivorous insects. However, flowering lasts only a few days, and the bud ripens for several months. So in theory you can plant Rafflesia in your garden and, upon smelling a foul smell, just leave home for a few days.
3. Vieux Boulogne - aromas of decay
Do you like the smell of cheese? If yes, then smell the "Vieux Boulogne" and agree that this cheese can be eaten only by holding your nose tightly.
In November 2004, scientists at Cranfield University took it upon themselves to determine which cheese is the most smelly in the world. And in this anti-rating the French soft cheese "Vieux Boulogne" won. It smells like mushrooms, damp earth and rotten leaves. This stench is even worse than that of a cheese called Burgundy Epoise, which is banned in some public places in France.
The terrible stench emanating from this cheese is the result of beer bacteria acting on enzymes in the cheese.
2. Ancient excrement
The second place in the list of the most stinking things went to human waste. They smell very bad and this "flavor" does not improve over the years. The stench can persist for 700 years. Archaeologists conducting excavations in the Danish city of Odense were convinced of this. One of their finds turned out to be a 14th century latrine, in the form of barrels. They continued to exude the stench.
However, even coprolites are useful for scientists, they can tell about what people ate in the past, their health and even their field. For this, DNA samples are extracted from the feces, previously softened with a special solution, which "tell" the whole truth about their owner.
1. Four-toed anteater - the smell of a skunk
Small, fluffy animals are always so cute, despite the fact that many of them are very dangerous. However, the four-toed anteater, also known as the Mexican tamandua, is a creature that is best avoided in a dark alley. Tamandua smells five to seven times stronger than a skunk, this helps him scare off enemies. In this he is similar to another cute little animal - the zorilla (African ferret), which secretes a pungent-smelling secret from the anal glands. Both of these representatives of the fauna are worthy of the title of "king of stinkers".