PNNL

Abstract

A recent article by Curran et al (J. Chem. Ecol. vol. 31 (7); 1607-1619, 2005) describes the collection and chemical analysis of “human scent”. Contrary to the authors’ claims, a great deal is known about the chemical constituents of human scent, and its measurement. Here we clarify what is known about human scent, and highlight several shortcomings concerning the authors’ analysis related to 1) the definition of human scent, 2) chemical analysis of human scent, and 3) conclusions about individual differences. More than 15 years of research has presented both organoleptic and analytical evidence that a mixture of C6-C11 normal, branched, hydroxy-and unsaturated acids present in axillary sweat constitute the characteristic axillary odor. (Zeng et al., 1991; 1992; 1996; 1996a; Natsch et al., 2003). In addition to this mixture of major odor constituents are trace amounts of thio-alcohols (Natsch et al., 2004; Troccaz et al., 2004; Hasegawa et al., 2004) with high odor impact (low olfactory threshold). The details of the chemical identification, exact structures and synthesis (of non-commercially available compounds) as well as biogenesis of many of these compounds have been described in the above cited manuscripts.