Identification of new odoriferous compounds in human axillary sweat.
3-Hydroxy-3-methylhexanoic acid (1) and the 3-sulfanylalkan-1-ols 2-5 were identified to contribute to the odor of human axillary sweat. Quantitative analyses of axillary sweat extracts from 50 healthy men showed an unambiguous correlation between the detected levels of 1 and the intensity of the axillary odor. Chiral-GC analyses revealed 1 to be a 72:28 mixture of the (S)/(R)-isomers. Optically pure (S)-1 (>97% ee) emanated a strong spicy note, which recalled typical axillary odors. 3-Methyl-3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol (2), the enantiomeric ratio of which equaled that of 1, was present in greater quantity than any of the other 3-sulfanylalkanols. Optically pure (S)-2 (>97% ee) had a strong meaty, fruity note, also reminiscent of axillary odor. The compounds identified, in particular (S)-1 and (S)-2, contribute significantly to the olfactory impression of human axillary odor.
Hasegawa
Yoshihiro
Y
Kao Corporation, Perfumery Development Research Laboratory, 2-1-3, Bunka, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, Japan. hasegawa.yoshihiro@kao.co.jp
Yabuki
Masayuki
M
Matsukane
Masamoto
M
D000328:Adult; D001365:Axilla / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009812:Odorants / Q000032:analysis*; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology; D013542:Sweat / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology