Conclusions

This study utilized real time PTR-MS to examine the release of six odorous VOCs from cellulosic, wool and synthetic fibers/yarns exposed to the VOCs in an aqueous solution.

Shortly following treatment with the odorous sweat solution, cellulosic fibers released lesser amounts of nonpolar ketone and aldehyde VOCs into the headspace compared with wool, nylon, and polyester fibers.

This finding suggests that cellulosic fibers ad/absorb lower quantities of nonpolar compounds initially when transferred through an aqueous sweat solution than textiles composed of wool, nylon, and polyester fibers.

Conversely, textiles consisting of polyester and nylon fibers released higher quantities of nonpolar VOCs.

This research enhances our understanding of odorant transfer and absorption in various textiles through sweat. Clothing made from cellulosic fibers may tend to be less odorous than synthetic garments when worn, because they adsorb lower quantities of odorous nonpolar VOCs (and presumably odor-related precursors) initially.