Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year. (2017-2018 to 2022-2023)

Odour generated through microbial metabolism of underarm (axillary) sweat is a major source of physiological related body odour. A person's clothing can contribute to intensifying axillary odour as secretions, skin debris and bacteria from the body are transferred to the fabric. Laundering is not completely effective in removing odours and odour has the potential to accumulate over time. A common odour control method used by industry is to impart antimicrobial properties into the textiles, yet there is insufficient evidence to show that antimicrobials reduce odour intensity within textiles as odour is first generated on the body and not necessarily in the fabric. The generic fibre type (e.g., cotton, wool, polyester) from which a fabric is made has a significant impact on odour intensity yet little is known about how odorous compounds adhere to different textile fibres. Common apparel textile fibres such as wool, cotton, polyester and nylon vary in chemical and physical properties and the extent to which they retain, and subsequently release, body odours. The long-term goal of the proposed research program is to develop a scientific approach to reduce axillary odour in clothing worn next to the skin. In the short term, this involves: 1) investigating the effectiveness of selected antimicrobial technologies to reduce axillary bacterial populations and odour in fabrics, 2) determining the overall influence of bacteria in the accumulation of odour, and 3) establishing the mechanisms by which axillary odourants bind to and are retained within selected textiles. The proposed research will significantly further the understanding of how complex odorous molecules attribute to the overall odour accumulating in textiles over time and lead to the development of effective odour-controlling technologies. Controlling odour in textiles ultimately extends the useful life of clothing as there is evidence to show that people will discard clothing earlier than they would have otherwise due to a build-up of malodour in clothing worn next to the skin.