title: Individual variation in 3-methylbutanal: a putative link between human leukocyte antigen and skin microflora.
abstract: The human derma emits volatile compounds whose interaction with a receiver's olfactory sensory system may affect individual recognition and mating preferences. Studies suggest that both genes and environmental factors determine characteristic odor of an individual. We used solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify 3-methylbutanal in human axillary odor; we showed that the abundance of this volatile compound varies significantly among individuals and demonstrated that its formation in vitro may be influenced by interaction between human leukocyte antigen peptide and dermal microflora.
authors.affiliation: School of Marine Science and Technology, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. s.savelev@ncl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Sergey U
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Savelev
authors.forename: Sanjay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Antony-Babu
authors.forename: S Craig
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Huitu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Anthony S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Clare
authors.forename: L Morris
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Gosling
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Petrie
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goodfellow
authors.forename: Anthony G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: O'Donnell
authors.forename: Alan C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Ward
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000447:Aldehydes / Q000032:analysis*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009812:Odorants / Q000032:analysis*; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000447:Aldehydes; D006680:HLA Antigens; C032251:isovalerylaldehyde