Artificial Sweat Composition for Reproducible Malodour Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fragrance compositions for masking body odors, particularly from axillary perspiration, rely heavily on expensive and time-consuming in vivo studies and struggle to reproduce consistent malodor profiles due to the variability of human sweat samples, lacking systematic evaluation of fragrance materials and failing to account for ethnic differences.

Innovation Solution

Development of artificial sweat odor compositions comprising specific alkenoic, saturated aliphatic, and mercapto-alkanol compounds, tailored to reflect the chemical and olfactory characteristics of different ethnic groups, ensuring reproducibility and stability over time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If authentic sweat samples are used for fragrance development, then the odour quality reflects genuine human sweat, but the samples change over time making reproducible and consistent measurement difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveodour quality measurementVSAvoidsweat sample stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates artificial sweat compositions that copy the chemical composition and odour characteristics of authentic human sweat samples. By synthesizing a standardized mixture of compounds (including 3-methyl-2-hexenoic acid, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-hexanoic acid, and other volatile organic compounds), the invention produces a stable substitute that reproduces genuine sweat odour without the temporal variability of biological samples, enabling consistent and reproducible fragrance development testing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If in vivo studies with human test subjects are conducted, then fragrance masking effects can be evaluated, but the process is expensive and time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefragrance masking effect evaluationVSAvoidproduct development time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The artificial sweat composition serves as a standardized test medium that replaces the need for extensive in vivo studies. Fragrance compositions can be systematically screened against the artificial sweat standard in controlled laboratory settings, dramatically reducing development time and costs while maintaining evaluation accuracy. The standardized composition allows for high-throughput screening of fragrance candidates without requiring repeated human subject testing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables preliminary fragrance screening and optimization to be conducted using the artificial sweat composition before proceeding to final in vivo testing. This preliminary action using the standardized model allows for systematic evaluation and refinement of fragrance formulations, reducing the number of subjects needed for final validation and accelerating the overall product development timeline.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If simple mixtures of sweat components are used as malodour standards, then analytical investigations are simplified, but the odour quality does not closely match genuine human sweat

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemalodour standard productionVSAvoidodour quality matching
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite material approach by combining multiple volatile organic compounds in specific proportions to create an artificial sweat composition that accurately reproduces genuine human sweat odour. The formulation includes key compounds such as 3-methyl-2-hexenoic acid, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-hexanoic acid, 3-mercapto-3-methyl-hexan-1-ol, and other sweat-related VOCs, creating a composite standard that achieves both manufacturing simplicity and high odour fidelity for accurate fragrance development testing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3355853B1Artificial sweat composition
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 SYMRISE GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

The present invention belongs to the area of body odour modelling. In particular, the developed synthetic compositions of the present invention reconstitute human body odours, especially those arising from axillary perspiration. The use of said compositions allows for the evaluation of malodour masking effects of fragrant compositions in the field of personal care or homecare products and cosmetic product development.