Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Scent Profiles from Human Skin

Abstract

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emanating from human skin contribute to an individual’s body odour. Understanding the modulation of human odour by a fragrance is of significant importance to the cosmetic sector in the design, development and evaluation of new products. The present research describes an in vivo approach for passive headspace sampling of skin volatile emissions in human participants. A wearable headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) method has been employed to investigate baseline endogenous skin volatiles and the subsequent modulation of skin volatile profiles after application of a fragrance to skin. Coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) this method enables characterisation of scent profiles and fragrance longevity in vivo. A total of 51 compounds were identified in participants’ skin, including 19 endogenous and 32 fragrance-derived compounds. The temporal variation in volatile profiles at different times after fragrance application was investigated. Fragrance diffusion from skin varied between participants resulting in diversified scent profiles over time. This non-invasive approach could be employed during cosmetic product development for in vivo evaluation of fragrance profiles and for assessment of the retention of fragrance components in skin to reduce reliance on expert panels during product development.

Endogenous and microbial volatile organic compounds in cutaneous health and disease

“…Skin volatiles are generating significant interest in numerous fields, from cosmetics (e.g. in the design of fragranced products such as perfumes and deodorants) [6], [7], to diagnostics [8], forensics [9], safety and security applications (e.g. search and rescue) [10], monitoring psychological stress [11], and ecology of blood-sucking insect vectors of human disease [12].…”

The human odorant receptor OR10A6 is tuned to the pheromone of the commensal fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster

“…The crested auklet, a sea bird, releases a tangerine-scented, social odour that signals mate quality and contains (Z)-4-decenal as a main compound (Douglas et al 2001, Hagelin et al 2003. Unsaturated aldehydes are part of human skin emanations (Duffy et al 2018) and serve as cues for detecting the presence of humans (Li et al 2014).…”

“…The crested auklet, a sea bird, releases a tangerine-scented, social odour that signals mate quality and contains (Z)-4-decenal as a main compound (Douglas et al 2001, Hagelin et al 2003. Unsaturated aldehydes are part of human skin emanations (Duffy et al 2018) and serve as cues for detecting the presence of humans (Li et al 2014). Intriguingly, milk from humans and rabbits contains (E)-2-decenal and (Z)-2-undecenal, respectively, and Z4-11Al has been found in rabbit anal glands, accelerating heartbeat upon perception (Goodrich et al 1978, Schaal et al 2003, Duffy et al 2018.…”

“…Unsaturated aldehydes are part of human skin emanations (Duffy et al 2018) and serve as cues for detecting the presence of humans (Li et al 2014). Intriguingly, milk from humans and rabbits contains (E)-2-decenal and (Z)-2-undecenal, respectively, and Z4-11Al has been found in rabbit anal glands, accelerating heartbeat upon perception (Goodrich et al 1978, Schaal et al 2003, Duffy et al 2018. Taken together, Z4-11Al is found in human food, it might even be produced by ourselves and could manifest food, social context, or both.…”

Advancements in Non-Invasive Biological Surface Sampling and Emerging Applications

“…Duffy et al have also utilized their wearable headspace SPME device in another study to investigate fragrance longevity and scent profiles of participants. In this study, skin VOCs of volunteers were analyzed before and after fragrance-derived compounds were applied to their skin to compare the difference and fragrance permanence [64]. Following the instrumental analysis, 32 fragrance-derived and 19 endogenous compounds were identified.…”