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Related Concept Videos

Olfaction01:25

Olfaction

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The sense of smell is achieved through the activities of the olfactory system. It starts when an airborne odorant enters the nasal cavity and reaches olfactory epithelium (OE). The OE is protected by a thin layer of mucus, which also serves the purpose of dissolving more complex compounds into simpler chemical odorants. The size of the OE and the density of sensory neurons varies among species; in humans, the OE is only about 9-10 cm2.
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Humans detect odors with the help of specialized cells located in the upper part of the nasal cavity, called olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). ORNs possess hair-like structures called cilia, which are receptive to sensations from the inhaled air. When an odorant molecule binds to a specific receptor on the cell of the cilia, it leads to a series of events that ultimately cause the ORN to send electrical signals to the olfactory bulb in the brain through the olfactory nerves.
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The process of olfaction, also known as the sense of smell, is a sophisticated chemical response system. The specialized sensory neurons that facilitate this process, known as olfactory receptor neurons, are situated in an upper segment of the nasal cavity, known as the olfactory epithelium. Olfactory sensory neurons are bipolar, with their dendrites extending from the epithelium's apex into the mucus that lines the nasal cavity. Airborne molecules, when inhaled, traverse the olfactory...
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Ethers represent a class of chemical compounds that become more dangerous with prolonged storage because they tend to form explosive peroxides when standing in the air. Autoxidation is the spontaneous oxidation of a compound in air. In the presence of oxygen, ethers slowly oxidize to form hydroperoxides and dialkyl peroxides.
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Real-time In Vitro Monitoring of Odorant Receptor Activation by an Odorant in the Vapor Phase
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Odor-based individual authentication.

Wataru Tanaka1, Chaiyanut Jirayupat1,2, Haruka Honda1

  • 1Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan. wtanaka@g.ecc.u-tokyo.ac.jp.

Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|October 1, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Human odor offers a secure biometric authentication method, distinct from fingerprints or facial scans. This chemical-based identification is inherently difficult to forge, paving the way for advanced personal security.

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Area of Science:

  • Biometrics
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Human Identification

Background:

  • Traditional biometrics like fingerprints and facial recognition face security challenges due to potential theft and duplication.
  • The unique chemical profiles of human odor, specifically volatile organic compounds (VOCs), present a more secure and difficult-to-forge alternative.
  • Growing demand for secure and user-friendly authentication methods necessitates exploration of novel biometric modalities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive review of human odor-based individual authentication.
  • To explore the potential of skin and breath odors for noninvasive personal identification.
  • To examine the feasibility of implementing odor-based authentication systems.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scientific literature on human odor composition and origins.
  • Analysis of measurement techniques including canine olfaction, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and gas sensor arrays.
  • Discussion of challenges and solutions for odor-based biometric systems.

Main Results:

  • Human odor profiles, particularly from skin and breath, are unique and can be collected noninvasively.
  • Various techniques exist for measuring and analyzing odor VOCs, each with specific advantages.
  • Significant challenges remain in system implementation, but potential solutions are being developed.

Conclusions:

  • Human odor-based authentication is a promising, secure, and noninvasive biometric technology.
  • Further research and development are needed to overcome implementation challenges.
  • Odor biometrics offer a robust alternative to conventional identification methods.