The Context Matters: Women's Experiences of Their Partner's Odor in Intimate and Sexual Encounters.

Research shows that male body odor plays an important role in women's mate choice and that olfactory abilities are associated with women's sexual functioning. What remains unclear is what types of partner's odor actually shape women's experience during intimate activities. This study therefore explored women's experience associated with the partner's various odors and investigated how they affect women's intimate and sexual encounters. We performed semi-structured individual interviews with 20 single women and 20 women in a long-term relationship. Thematic analysis revealed four key natural odor types of the partner: body odor, sweat, genital odor, and semen odor. Further, we have identified three main types of fragrance odor (cologne, shower gel, and laundry agents) and investigated their perception in both intimate (hugging, kissing, cuddling, lying side by side) and sexual (intercourse, oral sex, ejaculation) contexts. Both partner's natural odor and fragrance affected women's emotional state (ranging from pleasant to unpleasant) and behavioral response (ranging from approach to avoidance of partner). Women's odor perception was frequently context-dependent, so that even mostly negatively perceived odors (e.g., semen, genital odor) were often accepted as part of sexual encounter. Finally, women's perception was negatively modified by partner's specific sweat (after workday, workout, or when the partner is ill) during intimate encounters. Our results highlight the complexity and interindividual variability of partner's odor perception.

Marketing sonified fragrance: Designing soundscapes for scent.

Auditory branding is undoubtedly becoming more important across a range of sectors. One area, in particular, that has recently seen significant growth concerns the introduction of music and soundscapes that have been specifically designed to match a particular scent (what one might think of as "audio scents" or "sonic scents"). This represents an exciting new approach to the sensory marketing of fragrance and for industries with strategic sensory goals, such as cosmetics. Crucially, techniques such as the semantic differential technique, as well as the emerging literature on crossmodal correspondences, offer both a mechanistic understanding of, and a practical framework for, those wishing to rigorously align the connotative meaning and conceptual/emotional/sensory associations of sound and scent. These developments have enabled those working in the creative industries to start moving beyond previously popular approaches to matching, or translating between the senses, that were traditionally often based on the idiosyncratic phenomenon of synaesthesia, toward a more scientific approach while nevertheless still enabling/requiring a healthy dose of artistic inspiration. In this narrative historical review, we highlight the various approaches to the systematic matching of sound with scent and review the various marketing activations that have appeared in this space recently.

Engineering Living Material for Controlled Fragrance Release Utilizing Kluyveromyces marxianus CBS6556 and Adaptive Hydrogel.

The demand for controllable fragrance materials is substantial owing to their potential to impart enduring scents in a variety of applications. However, the practical application of such materials has been limited by challenges in tunable morphogenesis, structural variability, and adaptability to diverse conditions. In our study, we introduce a hybrid living material that integrates a genetically engineered strain of Kluyveromyces marxianus CBS6556 with an adaptive hydrogel. The engineered K. marxianus achieved temperature stability in 2-phenylethanol (2-PE) and 2-phenylethyl acetate (2-PEAc) production by expressing relevant genes in the 2-PE metabolic pathway using the high-temperature preferential promoter SSE1. The enhanced water retention capacity supports the metabolic activities of the encapsulated yeast cells, ensuring their survival and functionality over an extended period. Fragrance-releasing living material (FLM) is designed to controllably emit fragrance 2-PE by adjusting the microbial concentration within the hydrogel matrix. The FLM exhibits versatile adhesion capabilities, effectively binding to a spectrum of surfaces such as wood, textiles, and glass as well as to natural substrates like leaves. This adaptability enhances the material's applicability across various settings. Furthermore, FLM can be crafted into various forms, including microbeads, fibers, and films. This research opens up new horizons for controlled fragrance release of living materials.

GC × GC-HRMS with complementary ionization methods in the suspect screening analysis of fragrance allergens: overwhelming or justified?

Modern gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) allows for the analysis of complex samples, such as fragrances. However, identifying all the constituents in natural fragrance mixtures, especially allergens that need to be listed on product labels, is a significant challenge. This is primarily due to the high complexity of the sample and the fact that electron ionization, the most commonly used ionization method in GC-MS, produces numerous nonspecific fragment ions, often resulting in the absence or very low abundance of the molecular ion. These factors affect confidence in assigning the analyte. In this study, we demonstrate that the combination of GC × GC separation, with high mass resolution and accurate mass measurements, as well as chemical ionization in addition to traditional electron ionization, becomes an efficient tool for reliable qualitative analysis of a mixture containing 100 fragrance allergens, even when many of them are closely related species or isomers. The proposed approach expands the applicability of the comprehensive GC × GC-HRMS method, which includes complementary ionization techniques, from studies on anthropogenic priority pollutants and emerging contaminants to the analysis of natural products. Although targeted qualitative and quantitative analysis of allergens in the modern laboratories is well organized, GC × GC-HRMS, being a useful complement to routine quality control of volatile allergens in fragrances, definitely gives an additional contribution to the analytical cases when conventional 1D-GC-MS faces some problems or uncertainties.

Machine Learning Driven Atom-Thin Materials for Fragrance Sensing.

Fragrance plays a crucial role in the daily lives. Its importance spans various sectors, from therapeutic purposes to personal care, making the understanding and accurate identification of fragrances essential. To fully harness the potential of fragrances, efficient and precise fragrance sensing and identification are necessary. However, current fragrance sensors face several limitations, particularly in detecting and differentiating complex scent profiles with high accuracy. To address these challenges, the use of atom-thin materials in fragrance sensors has emerged as a groundbreaking approach. These atom-thin sensors, characterized by their enhanced sensitivity and selectivity, offer significant improvements over traditional sensing technology. Moreover, the integration of Machine Learning (ML) into fragrance sensing has opened new opportunities in the field. ML algorithms applied to fragrance sensing facilitate advancements in four key domains: accurate fragrance identification, precise discrimination between different fragrances, improved detection thresholds for subtle scents, and prediction of fragrance properties. This comprehensive review delves into the synergistic use of atom-thin materials and ML in fragrance sensing, providing an in-depth analysis of how these technologies are revolutionizing the field, offering insights into their current applications and future potential in enhancing the understanding and utilization of fragrances.

Assessing residual fragrances on skin after body washing: Optimization of an analytical method using solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to develop and optimize a method for evaluating the persistence of residual fragrance after body washing, addressing a significant requirement in the development of personal care products. The main objective is to establish a reliable, sensitive and reproducible analytical technique to assess fragrance longevity on skin post-use of body wash products. METHODS: Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is used to analyse residual fragrances. We investigate the extraction efficiencies of various SPME fibres and compare different methods for sampling skin-emitted fragrances, including tape stripping and sealed glass funnels. A controlled body-washing procedure is implemented to standardize the cleansing process. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that the relative standard deviation for measuring five distinct fragrances is within the range of 3%-14%, highlighting the precision of the method. A notable variance exists in the extraction efficiency of fragrances using different types of SPME fibres, with some exhibiting over a threefold difference. Furthermore, the glass funnel method for fragrance collection demonstrates an 11.7 times greater sensitivity to galaxolide than that of the tape-stripping method. Residual fragrances with base notes as the main components can be detected on the skin up to 24 h after body washing. CONCLUSION: The optimized method for residual fragrance evaluation developed in this study offers a robust tool for analysing fragrance components persisting on the skin for up to 24 h post-wash. This advancement facilitates a deeper understanding of fragrance longevity in personal care products, enabling comparative analyses between different products.

OBJECTIF: l'objectif de cette étude est de développer et d'optimiser une méthode d'évaluation de la persistance du parfum résiduel après la toilette du corps, répondant à une exigence significative dans le développement de produits de soins personnels. L'objectif principal est d'établir une technique analytique fiable, sensible et reproductible pour évaluer la longévité des parfums sur la peau après utilisation de produits de toilette pour le corps. METHODES: la microextraction en phase solide de l'espace de tête (HS­SPME) couplée à la chromatographie en phase gazeuse­spectrométrie de masse (GC­MS) est utilisée pour analyser les parfums résiduels. Nous étudions l'efficacité de l'extraction de diverses fibres SPME et nous comparons différentes méthodes d'échantillonnage des senteurs émises par la peau, y compris le stripping sur ruban adhésif et les entonnoirs en verre scellés. Une procédure contrôlée de lavage du corps est mise en place pour standardiser le processus de nettoyage. RÉSULTATS: nos résultats indiquent que l'écart­type relatif pour mesurer cinq parfums distincts se situe dans la plage de 3% à 14%, ce qui souligne la précision de la méthode. Une variance notable existe dans l'efficacité d'extraction des parfums utilisant différents types de fibres de SPME, certaines présentant plus d'un triplement de différence. En outre, la méthode de l'entonnoir en verre pour la collecte des parfums démontre une sensibilité au galaxolide 11,7 fois supérieure à celle de la méthode de stripping sur ruban adhésif. Les parfums résiduels avec des notes de fond comme principaux composants peuvent être détectés sur la peau jusqu'à 24 h après le lavage du corps. CONCLUSION: la méthode optimisée pour l'évaluation du parfum résiduel développée dans cette étude offre un outil fiable pour analyser les composants du parfum persistant sur la peau jusqu'à 24 heures après le lavage. Cette avancée offre une meilleure compréhension de la longévité des parfums dans les produits de soins personnels, permettant des analyses comparatives entre les différents produits.

Skin- and airway-deliverable TRPA1 inhibitor.

This study explored the potential of perfumery compounds as sources of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) inhibitors that could be formulated for effective delivery to the skin and airways. A highly potent, small, and selective TRPA1 inhibitor, 2-methyl-4-phenyl-1-pentanol (1), was discovered in perfumery compounds. Compound 1 demonstrated promising inhibitory activity against a broad range of TRPA1 agonists. A single stereoisomer of 1 was identified as the most effective TRPA1 inhibitor, indicating the potential for stereoselective synthesis to enhance its potency. Additionally, the structure-activity relationship of 1 was evaluated to elucidate the structural features of TRPA1 inhibitors within the fragrance-like compounds. Notably, the topical application of 1 alleviated sensory irritation in individuals with sensitive skin, while the inhalation of 1 resulted in a significant reduction in ammonia irritation, underscoring its efficacy in both skin and airway applications.

"Recognizing and managing allergic contact dermatitis: Focus on major allergens".

Patch testing is the gold standard for the diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis. The identification and avoidance of culprit allergen/s is essential in the treatment of this disease. Each year, new allergens are identified as emerging or important. The authors discuss allergens that are common, enduring, emergent, incompletely recognized and controversial for the practicing allergist and dermatologist. This Clinical Management Review will encompass a review of fragrances, preservatives, rubber, acrylates, metals, and medications, their common sources of exposure, controversies in diagnosis and patch testing, management and how to avoid those allergens. This review will also include practical aspects of diagnosis and management and will provide resources that can be used as guidance for physicians and patients on nickel, MCI/MI, fragrance, the most common allergens positive on patch testing.

Increase of the indoor concentration of volatile organic compounds after the use of incense and scented candle in studio apartments determined using passive sampling.

Burning incenses and scented candles may provide harmful chemicals. Although many studies have evaluated volatile organic chemicals emitted by their use and related health risks, extension of our understanding for guiding appropriate use under various use conditions is necessary. In this study, emission characteristics of commercial incenses and scented candles were evaluated in a laboratory chamber using real-time measurement and the time-weighted average exposure concentrations of monoaromatic compounds and monoterpenes were assessed using passive samplers while volunteers living in a studio apartment use them. After burning incense, the average levels of benzene increased from 1.4 to 100 µg m-3. The presence of a wood core in commercial incense products was the main cause of high benzene emission by burning them although the increase in benzene was also influenced by factors such as the brand of the products, the number of incense sticks burned, the duration of each burning session, and ventilation period. Electrical warming of scented candles increased the levels of monoterpenes by factors of 16-30 on average. Considering the emission characteristics found in this study, exposure to benzene and monoterpenes could be mitigated by cautious use of those products in residential areas.

Are "clean" products safe for children? An analysis of contact allergens in "clean" children's products from a popular retailer.

BACKGROUND: Considering consumer trends toward the use of "clean" personal care products and increasing recognition of childhood allergic contact dermatitis, we sought to characterize the allergen profile of such children's products. METHODS: Ingredients of baby washes/shampoos, bubble baths, and moisturizers identified using the "Clean Baby" filter on Target®'s online marketplace were analyzed for relevant pediatric contact allergens. RESULTS: Product compositions declared fragrance in 82% of products, Compositae in 46%, cocamidopropyl betaine in 45%, glucosides in 37%, propylene glycol in 12%, lanolin in 1%, and no allergens in 9%-methylisothiazolinone and formaldehyde were not found. CONCLUSION: Children are greatly impacted by atopic dermatitis and skin barrier dysfunction, which underscores a need for greater public awareness of sensitizing and irritating ingredients, particularly regarding pediatric personal care products.

Unveiling the aesthetic secrets: exploring connections between genetic makeup, chemical, and environmental factors for enhancing/improving the color and fragrance/aroma of Chimonanthus praecox.

Floral color and scent profiles vary across species, geographical locations, and developmental stages. The exclusive floral color and fragrance of Chimonanthus praecox is contributed by a range of endogenous chemicals that distinguish it from other flowers and present amazing ornamental value. This comprehensive review explores the intricate interplay of environmental factors, chemicals and genes shaping the flower color and fragrance of Chimonanthus praecox. Genetic and physiological factors control morpho-anatomical attributes as well as pigment synthesis, while environmental factors such as temperature, light intensity, and soil composition influence flower characteristics. Specific genes control pigment synthesis, and environmental factors such as temperature, light intensity, and soil composition influence flower characteristics. Physiological processes including plant hormone contribute to flower color and fragrance. Hormones, notably ethylene, exert a profound influence on varioustraits. Pigment investigations have spotlighted specific flavonoids, including kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside, quercetin, and rutin. Red tepals exhibit unique composition with cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside being distinctive components. Elucidating the molecular basis of tepal color variation, particularly in red and yellow varieties, involves the identification of crucial regulatory genes. In conclusion, this review unravels the mysteries of Chimonanthus praecox, providing a holistic understanding of its flower color and fragrance for landscape applications. This comprehensive review uniquely explores the genetic intricacies, chemical and environmental influences that govern the mesmerizing flower color and fragrance of Chimonanthus praecox, providing valuable insights for its landscape applications. This review article is designed for a diverse audience, including plant geneticists, horticulturists, environmental scientists, urban planners, and students, offering understandings into the genetic intricacies, ecological significance, and practical applications of Chimonanthus praecox across various disciplines. Its appeal extends to professionals and enthusiasts interested in plant biology, conservation, and industries dependent on unique floral characteristics.

Fragrance Encapsulates: Effect of Polymeric Shell Purification Method on the Accuracy of Biodegradability Testing.

Fragrance encapsulates are widely used in consumer care applications such as fabric softeners or other liquid laundry products; they provide multiple benefits, from fragrance protection in the commercial product to a controlled release and improved sensorial experience for the consumers. Polymeric fragrance encapsulates are in the scope of the EU regulation restricting the use of intentionally added microplastic particles, and industry is actively working on innovation programs to find biodegradable alternatives. However, particular attention needs to be paid to claims that a fragrance encapsulation system is biodegradable, because biodegradation test results can vary considerably depending on how a test material is prepared, which can even lead to false-positive biodegradation test results, as shown in our study. We demonstrate the importance of the sample preparation phase of the process. We show how the biodegradation level can fluctuate from 0% to 91%, depending on how the test material is isolated from a given microcapsule slurry system, and we present a method that can be used to obtain trustworthy biodegradation results. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1242-1249. © 2024 Givaudan France SAS. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

A Chronic Aquatic Hazard Assessment for the Perfume Raw Material Octahydro-tetramethyl-naphthalenyl-ethanone.

Octahydro-tetramethyl-naphthalenyl-ethanone (OTNE) is a high-production volume fragrance material used in various down-the-drain consumer products. To assess aquatic risk, the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) uses a tiered data-driven framework to determine a risk characterization ratio, where the ratio of the predicted-environmental concentration to the predicted-no-effect concentration (PNEC) of <1 indicates an acceptable level of risk. Owing to its high production volume and the conservative nature of the RIFM framework, RIFM identified the need to utilize a species sensitivity distribution (SSD) approach to reduce the PNEC uncertainty for OTNE. Adding to the existing Daphnia magna, Danio rerio, and Desmodesmus subspicatus chronic studies, eight new chronic toxicity studies were conducted on the following species: Navicula pelliculosa, Chironomus riparius, Lemna gibba, Ceriodaphnia dubia, Hyalella azteca, Pimephales promelas, Anabaena flos-aquae, and Daphnia pulex. All toxicity data were summarized as chronic 10% effect concentration estimates using the most sensitive biological response. Daphnia magna was the most sensitive (0.032 mg/L), and D. subspicatus was the least sensitive (>2.6 mg/L, the OTNE solubility limit). The 5th percentile hazardous concentration (HC5) derived from the cumulative probability distribution of the chronic toxicity values for the 11 species was determined to be 0.0498 mg/L (95% confidence interval 0.0097-0.1159 mg/L). A series of "leave-one-out" and "add-one-in" simulations indicated the SSD was stable and robust. Add-one-in simulations determined that the probability of finding a species sensitive enough to lower the HC5 two- or threefold was 1/504 and 1/15,300, respectively. Given the high statistical confidence in this robust SSD, an additional application factor protection is likely not necessary. Nevertheless, to further ensure the protection of the environment, an application factor of 2 to the HC5, resulting in a PNEC of 0.0249 mg/L, is recommended. When combined with environmental exposure information, the overall hazard assessment is suitable for a probabilistic environmental risk assessment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1378-1389. © 2024 SETAC.

Formulation analysis of functional fragrance via polar-gradient extraction method and chemometrics pattern recognition.

In this study, characteristic components of 15 natural flavors was analyzed by the polar-gradient extraction (PGE) technique in combination with GC-MS and chemometrics pattern recognition. The obtained results were utilized for the traceability of 4 functional fragrance formulations. The optimal PGE system consisting of 5 different polar solvents, was developed based on similarity-intermiscibility theory. Four chemometrics pattern recognition models including PCA, HCA, PLS-DA, and OPLS-DA were constructed based on the characteristic component database constituting 15 natural flavors. These models were used to trace 4 functional fragrance formulations. The experimental results obtained were found to be satisfactory and accurate. The combination of PGE technique and chemometric pattern recognition methods provides theoretical guidance for the analysis of characteristic components of natural flavors and the traceability of functional fragrance formulations. This approach can be promoted in various fields such as food, traditional Chinese medicine, and cosmetics.

Fragrance lexicon for analysis of consumer-generated perfume reviews in Russian and English.

In recent years, there has been a rise in research on sensorium in various academic disciplines. Olfaction is recognized as a sense that is most closely linked to cognition, memory and emotion. Due to this unique feature, studies on various aspects of human olfaction are steadily gaining prominence in the humanities and social sciences. In order to understand how the olfactory modality is marked, several taxonomies and semantic spaces of olfactory terms have been developed. However, the focus has been on the general olfaction lexicon and there is a lack of systematic and comprehensive lexicons for fragrant smells. This article addresses this gap. It adopts a multilingual perspective and describes the process of developing a fragrance lexicon in two languages, Russian and English. A fragrance lexicon refers to a list of words that people might use to describe a perfume. The steps in the lexicon development included •sourcing the lexical items in the two languages•translating and cleaning the word lists•revising and refining the lexiconThe fragrance lexicon presented in this article can be used to aid linguistic analyses of naturally occurring communications about perfumes, such as computational analyses of consumer-generated perfume reviews.

MbEOMT1 regulates methyleugenol biosynthesis in Melaleuca bracteata F. Muell.

Methyleugenol, a bioactive compound in the phenylpropene family, undergoes its final and crucial biosynthetic transformation when eugenol O-methyltransferase (EOMT) converts eugenol into methyleugenol. While Melaleuca bracteata F. Muell essential oil is particularly rich in methyleugenol, it contains only trace amounts of its precursor, eugenol. This suggests that the EOMT enzyme in M. bracteata is highly efficient, although it has not yet been characterized. In this study, we isolated and identified an EOMT gene from M. bracteata, termed MbEOMT1, which is primarily expressed in the flowers and leaves and is inducible by methyl jasmonate (MeJA). Subcellular localization of MbEOMT1 in the cytoplasm was detected. Through transient overexpression experiments, we found that MbEOMT1 significantly elevates the concentration of methyleugenol in M. bracteata leaves. Conversely, silencing of MbEOMT1 via virus-induced gene silencing led to a marked reduction in methyleugenol levels. Our in vitro enzymatic assays further confirmed that MbEOMT1 specifically catalyzes the methylation of eugenol. Collectively, these findings establish that the MbEOMT1 gene is critical for methyleugenol biosynthesis in M. bracteata. This study enriches the understanding of phenylpropene biosynthesis and suggests that MbEOMT1 could serve as a valuable catalyst for generating bioactive compounds in the future.

Engineering carboxylic acid reductases and unspecific peroxygenases for flavor and fragrance biosynthesis.

Emerging consumer demand for safer, more sustainable flavors and fragrances has created new challenges for the industry. Enzymatic syntheses represent a promising green production route, but the broad application requires engineering advancements for expanded diversity, improved selectivity, and enhanced stability to be cost-competitive with current methods. This review discusses recent advances and future outlooks for enzyme engineering in this field. We focus on carboxylic acid reductases (CARs) and unspecific peroxygenases (UPOs) that enable selective productions of complex flavor and fragrance molecules. Both enzyme types consist of natural variants with attractive characteristics for biocatalytic applications. Applying protein engineering methods, including rational design and directed evolution in concert with computational modeling, present excellent examples for property improvements to unleash the full potential of enzymes in the biosynthesis of value-added chemicals.

GARDskin dose-response assay and its application in conducting Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) for fragrance materials using a Next Generation Risk Assessment (NGRA) framework.

Development of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) capable of providing a No Expected Sensitization Induction Level (NESIL) value remains a high priority for the fragrance industry for conducting a Quantitative Risk Assesment (QRA) to evaluate dermal sensitization. The in vitro GARDskin assay was recently adopted by the OECD (TG 442E) for the hazard identification of skin sensitizers. Continuous potency predictions are derived using a modified protocol that incorporates dose-response measurements. Linear regression models have been developed to predict human NESIL values. The aim of the study was to evaluate the precision and reproducibility of the continuous potency predictions from the GARDskin Dose-Response (DR) assay and its application in conducting QRA for fragrance materials using a Next Generation Risk Assessment (NGRA) framework. Results indicated that the GARDskin Dose-Response model predicted human NESIL values with a good degree of concordance with published NESIL values, which were also reproducible in 3 separate experiments. Using Isocyclocitral as an example, a QRA was conducted to determine its safe use levels in different consumer product types using a NGRA framework. This study represents a major step towards the establishment of the assay to derive NESIL values for conducting QRA evaluations for fragrance materials using a NGRA framework.