An episode of intense heat has affected three quarters of the country since Thursday, July 30. To face it calmly, the discovery of the enzyme responsible for bad odors coming from the armpits would make it possible to do without deodorant.
- The BO enzyme is responsible for bad odor coming from the armpits.
- Directly targeting the BO enzyme would make it possible to do without deodorants without smelling sweat.
This is a very useful discovery in these high temperatures, which do not always make us feel the rose. Researchers have just identified the enzyme responsible for bad odors coming from the armpits.
“Resolving the structure of this ‘BO enzyme’ allowed us to identify the molecular step inside certain bacteria that manufacture odor molecules, explains biologist Michelle Rudden, director of the study. This is a key advance in understanding how body odor works, and will enable the development of targeted inhibitors that stop BO enzyme production at the source without disrupting the armpit microbiome.” adds the scientist.
Aluminum salts and breast cancer
Clearly, directly targeting the BO enzyme would make it possible to do without deodorants without smelling perspiration. What interest many women, who are more and more to stop using industrial deodorants, concerned about the consequences on their health. In addition to the disruption of the armpit microbiome mentioned above, Austrian researchers concluded in 2017 that there was a significant association between deodorants containing aluminum salts and breast cancer. Women using this type of product several times a day on shaved armpits, and who started before the age of 30, would, according to them, have twice the risk of developing the disease.
“This research was a real revelation, continues Doctor Gordon James, co-author of the study, published in the journal Nature. It’s fascinating to discover that a key odor-forming enzyme only exists in a few select bacteria in the armpits, and evolved there tens of millions of years ago.” marvels the scientist.
Sweating has a vital function
Finally, remember that if it is not well perceived socially, perspiration has a vital function when it is hot. When temperatures rise, sweat production increases and the evaporating water draws heat from the skin, cooling the body to maintain it at around 37 degrees.
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