Sci Rep: Research reveals why fox odors occur.

29, 2020 // --- In a recent study, scientists discovered a unique enzyme that causes pungent body odorsResearchers at the University of York have previously shown that the so-called "fox odor" comes from only a small number of bacteriaNow, in collaboration with scientists at Unilever, the authors have gone a step further by discovering a unique "fox skunk enzyme" that is found only in these bacteria and is associated with the smell of armpits(Photo source:The new study highlights how specific bacteria evolve a particular enzyme to produce odorous moleculesCo-lead author Dr Michelle Rudden, of Professor Gavin Thomas, Department of Biology at the University of York, said: "Addressing the structure of this enzyme allows us to identify molecular synthesis pathways within certain bacteria and will help develop targeted inhibitors that can prevent odor generation without destroying the armpit microbiome." "This study highlights that staphylococcus is one of the main microorganisms that causes the stench in the armpitsIn addition, the enzyme was present in the human episomatic microbiome as early as Homo sapiens, suggesting that body odor existed before modern human evolution and may have played an important role in human social activities, the researchers said(Bioon.com) Source: Life in The Pits: Scientists Identify Enzyme Body Body Behind Odor Original Origins: Michelle Rudden, Reyme Herman, Matthew Rose, Daniel Bawdon, Diana SCox, Daniel Dodson, Matthew TEleanor, Anthony JThe molecular basis of thioalcohol production human body oedourScientific Reports, 2020; 10 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68860-z.