Scientists from the University of Burgundy in France found that under psychological stress, women’s skin releases special volatile organic compounds, including alcohols, esters, alkanes, nitrogen compounds and ketones. Research results published In the journal Scientific Reports (SciRep).
35 non-smoking women aged between 24 and 40 participated in the study. Scientists used special sensors made of organosilicon polymers to understand which VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are produced by the skin on the forehead of women in calm and stressed states. VOCs are stated to be compounds that affect the olfactory profile of the skin. They are produced by eccrine, sebaceous and apocrine glands. Eccrine sweat glands are found all over the body, and apocrine sweat glands are found in the hairy areas of the skin.
Under stress, approximately 198 VOCs have been found to appear on the surface of women’s skin, including alcohols, alkanes (saturated hydrocarbons), esters (a class of acids), nitrogen compounds, and ketones. Scientists also found that psychological stress increases sebum production by 37%.
The scientists suggested that their discovery could provide a basis for studying the impact of VOCs on human communication in the future. These compounds may also be potential biomarkers for various diseases.
Previously was created Skin patch for rapid detection of tuberculosis.