The Bacteria Behind BO

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Know sweat: scientists solve mystery behind body odour
University of York researchers trace the source of underarm aromas to a particular enzyme.

The molecular basis of thioalcohol production in human body odour
Body odour is a characteristic trait of Homo sapiens, however its role in human behaviour and evolution is poorly understood. Remarkably, body odour is linked to the presence of a few species of commensal microbes. Herein we discover a bacterial enzyme, limited to odour-forming staphylococci that are able to cleave odourless precursors of thioalcohols, the most pungent components of body odour.