Fractionation and bioassay of human odor types

Abstract Pause, B. M., K. Haberkorn, F. Eggert, W. MULler-Ruchholtz, H. J. Bestmann and R. Ferstl. Fractionation and bioassay of human odor types. Physiol Behav 61(6) 957–961, 1997.—Human urine samples were fractionated to examine the contribution of volatiles to the individual body odor. The samples were obtained from 4 male donors and fractionated using a vacuum technique. The volatiles from the chemical fractions were analyzed using the CLSA technique and gas chromatography. Thereafter, these fractions were tested in a computer-controlled olfactometer by trained rats. Although the rats were able to discriminate the distillation residue, they could not recognize the urine odor in the distilled fraction. The results of gas chromatography indicate a continuous release of volatile constituents in the distillation residue.