Analysis and Chemistry of Human Odors

Abstract

The analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCvolatile organic compound (VOC)s) is now accessible to almost any laboratory using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GCgas chromatography (GC)-MS). With mass spectrum libraries now being well populated with thousands of molecules, structure elucidation is no longer a hurdle in most cases. Two-dimensional GC-MS and high-resolution MS systems facilitate the interpretation and accuracy of VOCs analysis (Chap. 17 ). Sample preparation techniques have also significantly improved. VOCs extraction can be performed using polymer absorbents, but the drawback is that the equilibrium of VOCs between the matrix and the polymer may reflect an analytical profile that does not correspond to reality. This chapter focuses on the common VOCs profiles in body odors, human urine odors and fecal odors. Analytical strategies are discussed. These VOCs are classified by chemical functionalities and their importance to the smell is discussed in detail.