INFOMEC 2020: HUMAN BODY ODOR ANALYSIS USING GCMS: METHOD DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION
Channel: Revathi Rajan
Date: 2020-09-10

POSTER CODE: S3

POSTER CATEGORY: Science & Technology

PRESENTER: DR REVATHI RAJAN
PRESENTER'S AFFILIATION: Management & Science University

ABSTRACT:
Background: Human body odor can be used for the individualization of human beings and used in tandem with other evidences such as fingerprint and DNA profile. Aim: So, a method to determine the chemical composition and characterization of human body odor was developed. Methods: Headspace and liquid sampling methods were compared for the analysis of human odor using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer, GCMS. A few solvents and solvent mixtures were tested for the purpose of sample extraction for liquid sampling method. Real odor samples collected from subject’s by sealing sterile gauze on their skin using cling wraps during 40 minutes of vigorous activity, along with 50 µL of internal standard, 100ppm, 1 mL methanol and anhydrous sodium sulphate was analyzed using the final optimized GCMS analysis parameters. The applicability was assessed by analysis of fifteen real samples and results analysed using linear discriminant analysis. Results: Sample aspiration was performed at 250°C and separation performed at a gradient of 20°C/min from 70°C (hold 2 min) to 100°C and a 10°C/min increase until 280°C (15 minutes hold-time) held until detector transference of sample were found to be the optimal parameter for the analysis of human skin extracts (linearity of standard, R2 (0.999). Methanolic extract of the human skin swab samples contained more fatty acids and ester residue characteristic of human odor, while organic solvent extraction primarily detected hydrocarbon compounds. Linear discriminant analysis showed grouping of the triplicates from the same individual, while no particular grouping was observed with chemical composition of different individuals, hence supporting the individualistic nature of human scent. Additionally, traces of drug related parent compounds and metabolites such as antibacterial, antioxidant, analgesic, methadone and tobacco metabolites were detected in the analysis. Conclusion: This preliminary analysis of skin secretion that produces human body odor may not only be able to provide information regarding the habits and lifestyle of an individual but also the unique chemical combination that can be used for human identification.