Sweat is initially odorless, but specific skin bacteria, when they feed on sweat, break down its components into pungent chemicals. Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University have been investigating the key players and processes involved in this odor-producing mechanism. They collected armpit sweat samples from 20 healthy men, including 11 individuals with particularly strong odors. The researchers meticulously analyzed the bacterial community, known as the microbiome, residing on the skin of these men, as well as the molecular composition of the metabolic byproducts generated by these bacteria.
The analysis revealed higher levels of precursor chemicals that eventually give rise to body odor, along with an increased abundance of a particular bacterial species. This bacterium is commonly present on our skin and generally harmless, except in cases of weakened immune systems. However, previous research has suggested its significant role in body odor, contributing to some of the most unpleasant scents emanating from our armpits.
Armed with this evidence, the researchers embarked on a quest for a countermeasure. They identified and synthesized a lysin, an enzyme that can rupture a bacterium’s cell wall, from a bacteriophage known to infect the odor-causing bacteria. Bacteriophages, like viruses that infect humans and other hosts, exhibit selectivity in their choice of target bacteria, using them to replicate.
Experiments demonstrated that the lysin specifically killed the odor-causing bacteria while leaving other bacteria unharmed. These findings, published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, provide a glimpse into the potential of bacteriophage lysins as effective and targeted treatments for body odor.
While further research is warranted to confirm the safety and efficacy of this approach in reducing body odor, the authors remain optimistic about its promise. They highlight the limited treatment options currently available for body odor and express hope that their work will pave the way for innovative therapies that effectively combat this common affliction.
