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.
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Acknowledgments
We thank Paul Miller and Daniel Farrelly for assistance with the in vivo experiment, Dr. Catherine Dreanno and Yashawant Kumar for assistance with the in vitro experiment, and Dr. George Wake for comments. This work was supported by the Wellcome Trust and by ARO grant DAAD19-03-1-0215. With respect to the ARO grant, opinions, interpretations, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the authors and are not necessarily endorsed by the US Government.
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Savelev, S.U., Antony-Babu, S., Roberts, S.C. et al. Individual Variation in 3-Methylbutanal: A Putative Link between Human Leukocyte Antigen and Skin Microflora. J Chem Ecol 34, 1253–1257 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-008-9524-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-008-9524-1