title: A study of the suppression of body odour in elderly subjects by anti-fungal agents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The suppression of body odour following the use of shampoos or soaps containing the anti-fungal agent miconazole nitrate (MCZ) has been recognized anecdotally. To determine whether MCZ could play a role in the suppression of body odour through inhibiting squalene oxidation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study recruited 54 elderly subjects residing in a nursing facility who needed bathing assistance. Subjects bathed with three types of body soap over a 6-week study period (regular soap, sample soap (soap containing MCZ), control soap; 2 weeks per type of soap). Body odour was evaluated based on olfactory assessment of the subjects and their clothing. The subjects and the examiners were blinded to the type of soap (sample or control) being used during the study. An analysis using GC/MS was also carried out to identify the volatile compounds associated with body odour.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Suppression of unpleasant body odour of the neck and axilla was reported in subjects who used the sample soap. Three common volatile compounds were detected from the T-shirts worn by the subjects: 2-ethylbutanal, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, and geranylacetone. The occurrence of these compounds was reduced using the sample soap.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that MCZ could play a role in the suppression of body odour.
authors.affiliation: Mochida Healthcare Co., Ltd., 2-12 Ichigaya-Honmura-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ozeki
authors.affiliation: Mochida Healthcare Co., Ltd., 2-12 Ichigaya-Honmura-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Moro
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008825:Miconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009812:Odorants; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012915:Soaps
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D012915:Soaps; D008825:Miconazole
keywords: anti-fungal agents; body odour; claim substantiation in vivo/in vitro; formulation hair + body care; squalene oxidation