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IPFS News Link • Science, Medicine and Technology

BO decoded: Scientists identify the key enzyme behind the pungent smell of body odour...

• https://www.dailymail.co, By JOE PINKSTONE

The chemical culprit behind body odour has been identified by scientists. 

An enzyme made by bacteria which reside in human armpits has been found to produce the pungent scent we know as BO. 

Dubbed the 'BO enzyme', it is made by bacteria called Staphylococcus hominis which humans inherited from our now-extinct ancient ancestors. 

Researchers from the University of York worked with Unilever and discovered body odour has likely plagued Homo sapiens since we first evolved. 

We inherited it from our more primitive predecessors and now the smelly bacteria call our armpits home.   

Dr Gordon James, of Unilever, says: 'This research was a real eye-opener.

'It was fascinating to discover that a key odour-forming enzyme exists in only a select few armpit bacteria - and evolved there tens of millions of years ago.'

By identifying the specific odorous compound, academics believe they can create deodorants that neutralise the enzyme, eradicating BO. 

Dr Michelle Rudden, from the University of York's Department of Biology, said: 'Solving the structure of this 'BO enzyme' has allowed us to pinpoint the molecular step inside certain bacteria that makes the odour molecules.

'This is a key advancement in understanding how body odour works, and will enable the development of targeted inhibitors that stop BO production at source without disrupting the armpit microbiome.'