Decoding the social volatilome by tracking rapid context-dependent odour change.

ABSTRACT: Odours can have a significant influence on the outcome of social interactions. However, we have yet to characterize the chemical signature of any specific social cue in human body odour, and we know little about how changes in social context influence odour chemistry. Here, we argue that adoption of emerging analytical techniques from other disciplines, such as atmospheric chemistry, might become game-changing tools in this endeavour. First, we describe the use of online chemical ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry to sensitively measure many hundreds of gas-phase volatile organic compounds in real time. By analysing ambient air emanating from undisturbed individuals or groups, the technique enables a continuous recording of an instantaneous odour change in response to external sti

SUBMITTER: Roberts SC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7209939 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature