Expert: Walter Hintz - 9/3/2009

Question
Hi:

Are there any bacteria that feed on nasal mucus? If so, do they produce any colors and odors as a resulting of feeding on the mucus? Will it smell like heated stale Swiss cheese? What color? When bacteria feed on mucus, do they produce any slimy substances of their own? Also, if mucus passes through the colon, will the fecal bacteria feed on it?


Thanks,

Green

P.S. These are not homework questions. These are questions of my own interest.

Answer
Hi green; You have the wrong idea about the function of mucus.  Bacteria do not obtain energy from mucus.  Nasal mucus contains enzymes like lysozyme  that destroy bacterial cells.  Colors odors etc. are the result of decay. When the mucus enters the digestive tract it is digested. Any bacteria trapped in the mucus is no longer viable.