# Human Body Malodor and Deodorants: The Present and the Future

## TL;DR

Human underarm odor affects hygiene and confidence, and new deodorant strategies are needed to target odor formation steps more effectively.

## Contribution

The paper proposes novel deodorant strategies targeting specific steps in malodor formation, such as pump inhibitors and enzyme blockers.

## Key findings

- Malodor formation involves precursor vesiculation, bacterial conversion, and metabolite efflux.
- Current deodorants have adverse effects and need improved strategies.
- Targeting specific steps like ABCC11 pumps or AMREs could enhance odor suppression.

## Abstract

Human axillary malodor negatively influences impression-related appearance, confidence, and hygiene, and ultimately decreases quality of life. Malodor formation involves three steps: vesiculation of odorless precursors within the human body, influx of these precursors into the intracellular space of bacteria, such as Corynebacterium striatum and Staphylococcus hominis, and efflux of malodorous metabolites into the axilla after conversion by axillary malodor-releasing enzymes (AMREs). Malodor deodorants are currently in use, and their formulation strategies, based on the ingredients, can be classified as follows: anti-sweating, antiproliferation of malodor-forming bacteria, masking (neutralizing) effects against malodor, and deodorization. However, current deodorants have several adverse effects. To reduce such effects while enhancing malodor suppression, a strategy targeting the specific step in malodor formation should be developed, such as the use of ABCC11 pump inhibitors, specific bacterial active pump controllers, and AMRE blockers.