Body odor samples from infants and post-pubertal children differ in their volatile profiles

Owsienko D, Goppelt L, Hierl K, Schäfer L, Croy I, Loos H (2024)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

Communications Chemistry Nature Research

Book Volume: 7

Article Number: 53

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01131-4

Abstract

Body odors change during development, and this change influences the interpersonal communication between parents and their children. The molecular basis for this chemical communication has not been elucidated yet. Here, we show by combining instrumental and sensory analyses that the qualitative odorant composition of body odor samples is similar in infants (0-3 years) and post-pubertal children (14-18 years). The post-pubertal samples are characterized by higher odor dilution factors for carboxylic acids and by the presence of 5α-androst-16-en-3-one and 5α-androst-16-en-3α-ol. In addition to the olfaction-guided approach, the compounds 6-methylhept-5-en-2-one (6MHO), geranyl acetone (GA) and squalene (SQ) were quantified. Both age groups have similar concentrations of 6MHO and GA, whereas post-pubertal children tend to have higher concentration of SQ. In conclusion, sexual maturation coincides with changes to body odor chemical composition. Whether those changes explain differences in parental olfactory perception needs to be determined in future studies with model odors.

Authors with CRIS profile

Diana Owsienko Lehrstuhl für Aroma- und Geruchsforschung Helene Loos Lehrstuhl für Aroma- und Geruchsforschung

Additional Organisation(s)

FAU Forschungszentrum Neue Wirkstoffe (FAU NeW)

Involved external institutions

Technische Universität Dresden DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Owsienko, D., Goppelt, L., Hierl, K., Schäfer, L., Croy, I., & Loos, H. (2024). Body odor samples from infants and post-pubertal children differ in their volatile profiles. Communications Chemistry, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42004-024-01131-4

MLA:

Owsienko, Diana, et al. "Body odor samples from infants and post-pubertal children differ in their volatile profiles." Communications Chemistry 7.1 (2024).

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