Body odor from the armpits is a common issue that stems from the metabolic activities of bacteria on the skin. These bacteria, which are naturally present on our skin, break down the sweat produced by the apocrine glands, resulting in the characteristic odors that differ among individuals.
Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University set out to investigate the underlying causes of this phenomenon. They collected armpit fluid samples from 20 healthy men and found that 11 of them had a more noticeable body odor. Analysis of the bacterial metabolism and skin microflora revealed an increased presence of odor-causing precursors and a proliferation of Staphylococcus hominis bacteria in these 11 samples.
The team then synthesized a lysin, a virus-derived compound that specifically targets and kills S. hominis bacteria. In laboratory experiments, this lysin was found to effectively eliminate the odor-causing bacteria without harming the other microorganisms typically found on the skin.
"Axillary [armpit] odors are one of the few dermatological disorders in which bacteria are the primary cause," explained Miki Watanabe, first author on the paper published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology. "Although many patients suffer from axillary odors, there are few treatment options. We believe that this study will lead to a new therapy."