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Odor perception phenotypes: multiple, specific hyperosmias to musks

A N Gilbert1, S E Kemp

  • 1Givaudan-Roure Fragrances, Teaneck, NJ 07666, USA.

Chemical Senses
|August 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Human olfactory perception varies significantly for musk compounds. Some individuals exhibit specific hyperosmias, suggesting distinct odor perception phenotypes (MSHM1 and MSHM2) for musk odorants.

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Area of Science:

  • Olfactory neuroscience
  • Human sensory perception
  • Chemosensation

Background:

  • Musk compounds are widely used in fragrances.
  • Individual differences in olfactory sensitivity to musks are well-documented.
  • Understanding these differences can elucidate mechanisms of odor perception.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate olfactory detection thresholds for diverse musk odorants in humans.
  • To identify distinct patterns of sensitivity and insensitivity.
  • To propose novel odor perception phenotypes related to musk sensitivity.

Main Methods:

  • Recruitment of 32 human subjects.
  • Measurement of olfactory detection thresholds for 11 musk odorants and 1 non-musk odorant.
  • Application of hierarchical cluster analysis to group subjects based on sensitivity patterns.

Main Results:

  • Four distinct subject groups emerged from cluster analysis.
  • One group (n=12) showed uniform sensitivity to all musks.
  • Another group (n=16) was uniformly insensitive to all musks.
  • Two small groups (n=2 each) displayed specific hyperosmias to subsets of musk odorants, including cyclopentadecanone, musk xylol, delta9-hexadecenolactone, and tonalid.

Conclusions:

  • The results support the existence of specific hyperosmias within the human population.
  • Two novel odor perception phenotypes, MSHM1 and MSHM2, are proposed.
  • These phenotypes represent individuals with unique hypersensitivity to particular musk odorants.

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