Comparison of the Volatile Organic Compounds Present in Human Odor Using Spme-GC/MS

Abstract

We evaluated the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in human odor by using headspace solid phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the extraction, separation, and analysis of the collected samples. Volatile organic compounds present in the headspace above axillary sweat samples collected from different individuals showed the presence of various types of compounds including organic fatty acids, ketones, aldehydes, esters, and alcohols. Qualitative differences and similarities noted between the males and females studied along with differences in chemical ratio patterns among the common compounds demonstrated the ability to differentiate between individuals through the examination of VOCs.

High throughput volatile fatty acid skin metabolite profiling by thermal desorption secondary electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry

“…VOCs observed on and in skin are derived from: glandular secretions; perfusion from underlying blood vessels; products of micro-biological metabolism; and exogenous components (Environmental contamination and personal care products for example) [1][2]. The highly individualised and dynamic nature of these profiles, and the utility of skin profiling have been reviewed [3].…”

“…Direct contact and headspace skin sampling devices generally employ thermal desorption (TD) for the recovery of VOCs which is interfaced to gas chromatography (GC), mass spectrometry (MS) [3]. Such approaches generate extensive VOC profiles that are rich in information, and are potentially useful for global profiling and non-targeted biomarker discovery.…”

Resistance of human odours to extremely high temperature as revealed by trained dogs

“…Thus the purpose of the study was to determine the temperature ceiling, which degrades the human scent so that the dog would not be able to identify it. The values of the boiling points of suggested human scent compounds (Curran et al 2005) are lower than 300°C (Anslyn and Dougherty 2006). Thus the hypothesis was the dogs will be unable to identify individually human scent after exposure of the scent to the heat of 300°C.…”

“…Skin is supposed to be a significant source of scent traces (Prada et al 2011). Human scent is a complex combination of volatile organic compounds (VOC) such as acids, alcohols, aldehydes, hydrocarbons, esters, and ketones that secret fluids onto the human skin where they interact with skin bacteria (Labows et al 1982;Stoddart 1999;Syrotuck 2000;Curran et al 2005Curran et al , 2007Curran et al , 2010a. Production of VOCs is managed mainly by the secretion of three types of glands: eccrine, sebaceous, and apocrine (Curran et al 2007).…”

“…Production of VOCs is managed mainly by the secretion of three types of glands: eccrine, sebaceous, and apocrine (Curran et al 2007). Using solid phase micro-extraction gas chromatography/mass spectrometry has shown that human scent consists of a great amount of compounds that differ qualitatively and quantitatively from person to person (Curran et al 2005;Penn et al 2007). Each person thus has a specific odour profile termed "odour signature" or "odourprint" (Penn et al 2007).…”