Antibacterial and deodorizing effects of cold atmospheric plasma-applied electronic deodorant.

Axillary odor is a malodor produced by bacterial metabolism near the apocrine glands, which often causes discomfort in an individual's daily life and social interactions. A deodorant is a personal care product designed to alleviate or mask body odor. Currently, most deodorants contain antimicrobial chemicals and fragrances for odor management; however, direct application to the underarm skin can result in irritation or sensitivity. Therefore, there is a growing interest in technologies that enable disinfection and odor control without the antiperspirants or perfumes. The cold atmospheric plasma temporally generates reactive radicals that can eliminate bacteria and surrounding odors. In this study, cultured Staphylococcus hominis and Corynebacterium xerosis, the causative bacteria of axillary bromhidrosis, were killed after 90% plasma exposure for 3 min. Moreover, the electronic nose system indicated a significant reduction of approximately 51% in 3-hydroxy-3-methylhexanoic acid and approximately 34% in 3-methyl-3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol, the primary components of axillary odor, following a 5-min plasma exposure. These results support the dual function of our deodorant in eliminating bacteria and axillary odors without the chemical agents. Therefore, cold atmospheric plasma-applied deodorant devices have great potential for the treatment and management of axillary odors as a non-contact approach without chemical use in daily life.

Odorant-responsive biological receptors and electronic noses for volatile organic compounds with aldehyde for human health and diseases: A perspective review.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gaseous chemicals found in ambient air and exhaled breath. In particular, highly reactive aldehydes are frequently found in polluted air and have been linked to various diseases. Thus, extensive studies have been carried out to elucidate disease-specific aldehydes released from the body to develop potential biomarkers for diagnostic purposes. Mammals possess innate sensory systems, such as receptors and ion channels, to detect these VOCs and maintain physiological homeostasis. Recently, electronic biosensors such as the electronic nose have been developed for disease diagnosis. This review aims to present an overview of natural sensory receptors that can detect reactive aldehydes, as well as electronic noses that have the potential to diagnose certain diseases. In this regard, this review focuses on eight aldehydes that are well-defined as biomarkers in human health and disease. It offers insights into the biological aspects and technological advances in detecting aldehyde-containing VOCs. Therefore, this review will aid in understanding the role of aldehyde-containing VOCs in human health and disease and the technological advances for improved diagnosis.