4 ms·
Underarm odor is largely determined by bacterial breakdown products of fatty acids, steroids, and other aliphatics into odorous compounds such as smaller-chain
by mallomarmeasle 8y ago
Underarm odor is largely determined by bacterial breakdown products of fatty acids, steroids, and other aliphatics into odorous compounds such as smaller-chain acids. Urea plays no role that I know of.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biochemistry_of_body_odor https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biochemistry_of_body_odor
- DoctorOetker 8y agoI could perfectly be wrong about the odour being a breakdown product of the urea itself, but I thought the urea was a major energy source for the bacteria... is that still correct or are the other species you mention more energetic or available?
- mallomarmeasle 8y agoI think urea will be in sweat mainly in the case of damaged kidneys, not under normal conditions. Not sure about that though.
- DoctorOetker 8y agohttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12817713/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12817713/