The Frequency of Occurrence of Acyclic Monoterpene Alcohols in the Chemical Environment does not Determine Olfactory Sensitivity in Nonhuman Primates

Using a conditioning paradigm, the olfactory sensitivity of five spider monkeys, three squirrel monkeys, and three pigtail macaques for six acyclic monoterpene alcohols that differ markedly in their frequency of occurrence in plant odors was assessed. The results showed that: (1) all three primate species have a well-developed olfactory sensitivity for acyclic monoterpene alcohols; (2) squirrel monkeys are significantly more sensitive for members of this class of odorants than the other two species and are able to detect all six odorants at concentrations below 0.1 ppm; and (3) there is a lack of positive correlations between olfactory sensitivity and the abundance of the acyclic monoterpene alcohols in flower odors and etheric oils. The results lend support to the growing body of evidence that suggests between-species comparisons of the number of functional olfactory receptor genes or of neuroanatomical features are poor predictors of olfactory performance. The findings do not support the hypothesis that olfactory sensitivity for members of a chemical class may be related to the frequency of occurrence of such odorants in a species' chemical environment.     

Sensory characterization and identification of odorous constituents in acrylic adhesives

Most products in our surroundings contain adhesives, including acrylic adhesives which are used in many industry sectors. Some of these adhesives contain solvents that produce strong odors, but even adhesives which are produced without solvents can emit intensive or pungent odors. In the latter case, the odor may arise from monomers in the adhesive product, from manufacturing by-products or from degradation products. Here we analyzed several acrylic, methacrylic and benzyl acrylic adhesives to identify representative odorous contaminants. The volatile fraction of the products was extracted and isolated by solvent-assisted flavor evaporation (SAFE), then analyzed via high-resolution gas chromatography olfactometry (HRGC-O), HRGC-mass spectrometry (HRGC-MS/O) and two-dimensional HRGC-MS/O. Aroma extract dilution analysis was carried out to determine the most prominent odorants. Using this targeted odorant-analytical approach, we identified 27 odorous substances representing diverse classes of molecules, including phenols with leather-like, horse stable-like or medicinal odors, acrylates eliciting glue-like, moldy and fruity impressions, and different esters with honey-like or effervescent tablet-like smells. These results show that the odor of acrylic adhesives results from a mixture of different odorants that cannot generally be traced back to the main constituents of the product but are rather likely to stem from impurities and trace side products and other contaminants.     

Odors in traps: Does most recent occupant influence capture rates for house mice?

Responses of house mice (Mus domesticus) to odors in live traps were studied in a series of eight 0.1-ha outdoor field enclosures. It was assumed that the most recent mouse capture would provide the predominant odor in a trap for at least one week. Three different populations were tested, one in 1989 and two in 1992, involving over 800 different mice. Similar response patterns were recorded from all three groups. Two types of questions were tested: (1) Were there any biases contingent upon what had been previously caught? (2) Were there consistent responses of mice of particular age, sex, or reproductive classes to trap odors? Traps soiled by juvenile females caught adult females significantly less often than expected, but there were no consistent relationships in terms of the effects of specific residual odors on the subsequent capture at a particular trap. For various age, sex, and reproductive classes, (1) adult males preferred odors from juvenile and estrous females and avoided odors of other males significantly more than expected, (2) juvenile females selected traps with odors of other juvenile females and avoided all other types of female odors significantly more than expected, (3) nonestrous females exhibited a significant preference for adult male odor, and (4) estrous females selected traps containing odors from adult males but avoided those that had previously contained either nonestrous or pregnant/lactating females significantly more than expected. These findings have potential implications with regard to both the methods used for trapping small rodents and the social biology of house mice.     

多环麝香的分子结构和香气关系的研究

本文论述了多环麝香的近期进展,提出了分类的原则和系统的分类方法。研究和总结了茚满型、萘满型、色满酮型、异色满型、氢化引达省型、苊型等各种多环麝香化合物的分子结构与香气的关系。     

Effect of predator odors on heart rate and metabolic rate of wapiti (Cervus elaphus canadensis)

We measured the heart rate (HR) and oxygen consumption ( ) of wapiti (Cervus elaphus canadensis) before, during, and after presentation of biologically irrelevant odors (pentane, thiophene, and a perfume), artificial predator odors (an ether extract of cougar feces, and PDT, a compound found in mustelid anal gland secretion), stale predator odors (dog feces and urine and fox urine, kept at ambient temperature for a few weeks), and fresh predator odors (wolf, coyote, and cougar feces and the odor of a dead coyote, kept frozen between collection and test). Overall, responses to odors were small compared to other stressful stimuli. Individual variability was high among scents and among wapiti, but two of the fresh predator odors (cougar and wolf feces) produced larger HR and responses than the other scents and were more often successful at producing responses. As a group, fresh predator odors produced larger tachycardias and elicited a larger number of significant HR responses than biologically irrelevant novel odors. although the two classes of odors did not differ in their effect on . Although several other studies have shown that ungulates have reduced feeding levels when their food is scented with predator odors, it is not clear if this is due to reduced palatability or antipredator behavior. This study is the first demonstration that a wild ungulate species reacted more strongly to predator odors than to other odors in a nonfeeding situation.     

Lack of Evidence for HLA-Linked Patterns of Odorous Carboxylic Acids Released from Glutamine Conjugates Secreted in the Human Axilla

Genetic factors within the major histocompatibility locus (MHC) have been shown to influence body odors in mice. MHC-dependent preferences for body odors also have been reported in humans. The axillary glands are a key odor-forming organ in humans, and it is assumed that they provide behaviorally relevant odors. Volatile carboxylic acids are the most diverse class of known axillary odorants, and the pattern of these acids is genetically determined. These acids are released by an N_α-acyl-glutamine-aminoacylase present in skin bacteria. We tested a hypothesis concerning whether or not the inherited individual-specific patterns of odorous acids are strongly influenced by polymorphic genes in the MHC. Axilla secretions were collected in 12 families, comprising 3 to 6 siblings, who had been typed for HLA-A, B, and DRB1 loci. The samples were treated with N_α-acyl-glutamine-aminoacylase, and the methyl esters of the released acids were analyzed with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ToF MS). The patterns of the analytes were compared by distance analysis. The distance was lowest between samples taken from the same individual, confirming the presence of donor-specific odor-prints. A much higher distance was observed between siblings, but there were no differences among siblings sharing none, one, or both HLA-A,B,DRB1 haplotypes. By applying principal component analysis, a clear clustering of samples taken from one individual was confirmed, but no clustering was observed for siblings sharing identical HLA-A,B,DRB1 alleles. Thus, the genetically determined pattern of N-acyl-glutamine conjugates of volatile carboxylic acids, secreted in the human axilla, appears not to be determined by genes residing in the HLA complex.     

试论人造香料的研发之路

论述了硝基麝香和多环麝香的研发简史、芳香族化合物的分子结构和香气之间的关系,以及Simmons-Smith反应在开发新香料中的应用,在此基础上探讨了人造香料的研究和开发之思路.     

Laboratory and field evaluation of predator odors as repellents for kiore (Rattus exulans) and ship rats (R. rattus)

Predator odors may serve to stop rats from entering conservation areas or to decrease predation, food consumption, and other damage by rats in areas tainted with predator odor. We compared the efficacy of real predator odors and synthetic odors (derived from the urine and feces of carnivores) as rat repellents with real herbivore odors as controls in a Y maze. We tested six predator odors: cat (Felis catus) urine and feces, mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) feces, n-propylthietane, S-methyl, methyl butanol, and isopentyl-methyl sulphide. The herbivore odors we used were: red deer (Cervus elaphus) urine, guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) feces, and white rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) urine. Ship rats (Rattus rattus) and kiore or Polynesian rats (R. exulans) showed no aversion to any of the six predator odors when compared with herbivore odors. Ship rats, however, may have avoided synthesized odors more than real ones. We applied two odors (S-methyl, methyl butanol and n-propylthietane) to purpose-built feeders in native forest but recorded no change in either visitation rate or duration of visits for rodents [rats and mice (Mus musculus)] or possums (Trichosurus vulpecula). The consumption of maize at feeders was correlated with the number and duration of possum visits, but only weakly correlated with the number of visits by rodents. Consumption of maize was unaffected by the odor associated with the feeder. It is unlikely that the odors we tested will be useful in deterring rodents or possums from areas where they have been removed for economic, public health or conservation reasons.     

Experience-Dependent Modification of Orientational Response to Olfactory Cues in Larvae of Spodoptera littoralis

In a behavioral dual-choice test the orientational response of third-instar larvae of Spodoptera littoralis to a certain odor could be increased, following a former experience of the odor. The odorants used were either the odor of a previously eaten host plant or a synthetic plant odor presented in conjunction with food. Inexperienced third-instar larvae were either neutral or demonstrated a weak attraction to the odors, whereas experienced larvae were highly attracted. Furthermore it was demonstrated that the larvae did not generalize between the odor previously experienced and a novel odor.     

Odor considerations in the use of frying oils

Odors generated into cooking and serving areas during use of oils in pan frying and deep-fat frying are of concern to home and institutional consumers and, in some respects, to industrial users. Odor considerations are factors in the selection of types of oils to be used in both domestic and foreign markets. Comparative techniques have been developed to evaluate room odor characteristics of frying oils. Evaluation research has been done on various oils and cooking fats for room odors developed during frying. Improved odor characteristics contributed by additives to oils have been studied, as well as relationship between the linolenate content of soybean oil and its characteristic room odor. The nature of the volatile constituents which contribute to room odors during frying is the subject of continuing research efforts. Presented at AOCS meeting, St. Louis, Missouri, May 1978.     

Bioassay apparatus for rodent olfactory preferences under laboratory and field conditions

A bioassay apparatus is described which automatically registers frequency and the total time that rodents investigate sample odors. The apparatus provides free access for wild rodents, and its rugged weatherproof construction allows outdoor use for extended time periods. The photocell light source is covered by an infrared filter and it can be operated continuously or for preset time intervals. When the apparatus was utilized for rat sex attractant research, many of the odorants preferred by tame laboratory rats were also attractive to wild rodents under field conditions.     

Individual Discrimination by Odors in Sibling Prairie Voles (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Microtus ochrogaster</Emphasis>)

The habituation–discrimination paradigm has been used widely to demonstrate that animals can detect individually distinctive odors of unfamiliar conspecifics. By using a modification of the habituation–discrimination technique, Todrank et al. (Anim Behav 55:377–386, 1998) found that golden hamsters discriminate between the individual odors of their own familiar brothers but cannot discriminate between the odors of two siblings that are unrelated and unfamiliar to the subject. This suggested that previous evidence showing that animals could discriminate between the odors of individuals actually may have demonstrated the ability to discriminate between genetically unrelated conspecifics (i.e., members of different families). To test this possibility, we conducted habituation–discrimination experiments with prairie voles, Microtus ochrogaster. Voles were tested under three conditions: subject and both targets were unrelated and unfamiliar; subject and both targets were brothers and familiar; subject was unrelated and unfamiliar to targets, but targets were brothers. In all cases, voles discriminated between the two individual odors. Thus, prairie voles can discriminate individual differences between the odors of brothers and they do not have to have previous experience with the conspecifics in order for discrimination to occur. The theoretical importance of these results is discussed.     

Why are predator urines aversive to prey?

Predator odors often repel prey species. In the present experiments, we investigated whether changes in the diet of a predator, the coyote (Canis latrans) would affect the repellency of its urine. Furthermore, because predator odors have a high sulfur content, reflecting large amounts of meat in the diet, we investigated the contribution of sulfurous odors to repellency. Our results were consistent with the hypothesis that diet composition and sulfurous metabolites of meat digestion are important for the repellency of predator odors to potential prey.     

Exposure to Urine of Canids and Felids, but not of Herbivores, Induces Defensive Behavior in Laboratory Rats

Predator odors induce defensive behavior in many prey species. For various reasons, studies carried out up to now have been unable to establish whether predator odor recognition is innate or not. Mostly, only particular odors or wild-living (i.e., experienced) test animals have been used in these studies, restricting the conclusiveness of the observations. In the present study, the behavioral effects of exposure to different predator odors on predator odor-naive laboratory male rats were compared with the effects of different nonpredator odors and of a no-odor control stimulus. Results show that exposure to urine of canids and felids, but not of herbivores or conspecifics, induce defensive behaviors. Taken together, the study provides support for the hypothesis that there is an innate recognition of predator odors in laboratory rats.     

Laboratory Evaluation of Odor Preferences of the Brushtail Possum

The Australian brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is the major vertebrate pest in New Zealand. Possums cause significant damage to the country's native and exotic forests and, as a vector of bovine tuberculosis, are a serious threat to the country's meat industry. Strong smelling odors are often used as lures during possum control operations in New Zealand, but little is known about the preferences of possums for these odurs. A test was designed to determine the preferences of captive wild possums for a number of odors commonly used as lures. To assess the effectiveness of the method, the possums were tested for their responses to a familiar food odor (apple) versus no odor. The possums spent significantly more time investigating the apple odor and also sniffed it more often than the no-odor control in the 15-min test period. The same procedure, however, showed that five odors commonly used as lures (almond, cloves, cinnamon, peanut, and orange) were no more preferable than water. Our results suggest that these unfamiliar odors are either equally attractive or unattractive to possums and that odors that are more familiar to these animals may be more appropriate as lures.     

Cell-Based Odorant Sensor Array for Odor Discrimination Based on Insect Odorant Receptors

The olfactory system of living organisms can accurately discriminate numerous odors by recognizing the pattern of activation of several odorant receptors (ORs). Thus, development of an odorant sensor array based on multiple ORs presents the possibility of mimicking biological odor discrimination mechanisms. Recently, we developed novel odorant sensor elements with high sensitivity and selectivity based on insect OR-expressing Sf21 cells that respond to target odorants by displaying increased fluorescence intensity. Here we introduce the development of an odorant sensor array composed of several Sf21 cell lines expressing different ORs. In this study, an array pattern of four cell lines expressing Or13a, Or56a, BmOR1, and BmOR3 was successfully created using a patterned polydimethylsiloxane film template and cell-immobilizing reagents, termed biocompatible anchor for membrane (BAM). We demonstrated that BAM could create a clear pattern of Sf21 sensor cells without impacting their odorant-sensing performance. Our sensor array showed odorant-specific response patterns toward both odorant mixtures and single odorant stimuli, allowing us to visualize the presence of 1-octen-3-ol, geosmin, bombykol, and bombykal as an increased fluorescence intensity in the region of Or13a, Or56a, BmOR1, and BmOR3 cell lines, respectively. Therefore, we successfully developed a new methodology for creating a cell-based odorant sensor array that enables us to discriminate multiple target odorants. Our method might be expanded into the development of an odorant sensor capable of detecting a large range of environmental odorants that might become a promising tool used in various applications including the study of insect semiochemicals and food contamination.     

Toluene and weasel (2-propylthietane) odors suppress feeding in the rat

The odors of toluene and 2-propylthietane have been shown to elicit fast wave bursts of 15–30 Hz in the olfactory bulb and dentate gyrus of rats. The odors of cadaverine, butyric acid, and caproic acid were found to be ineffective by comparison. The present study investigated feeding in rats offered a choice between food pellets treated with one of the above mentioned odors or untreated pellets. Unscented pellets were also presented in a control condition. The results indicate that 2-propylthietane or toluene scented food is avoided; cadaverine scented food is preferred; but caproic acid and butyric acid scents have no effect. Toluene and 2-propylthietane may activate central pathways involved in predator detection/avoidance, while cadaverine may activate pathways involved in approach and feeding behavior.     

Edible oil deodorizing equipment and methods

Edible oil deodorizing equipment and processes have been developed as a result of advances in hot-pressing and extraction of oil-bearing materials. Early methods included masking of odors by means of aromatics, washing out of odors and neutralization or destruction of odors by means of various chemical treatments. Commercial deodorization methods involve steam distillation in vacuo. Processes have been developed independently in several European countries and in the United States. Most efficient equipment uses low absolute pressures and high temperatures in equipment constructed of corrosion-resistant metals and supplied with suitable recording instruments. Current trend is forward continuous processes with automatic control.     

Attractant or Pheromone: The Case of Nasonov Secretion and Honeybee Swarms

Honeybees are attracted to a variety of odors, including the secretion of their Nasonov glands, a secretion that has been widely assumed to be an orientation and attraction pheromone. A crossover design experiment comparing synthetic Nasonov secretion with linalool, oil of clove, skatole, and wax moth sex pheromone was established to determine if Nasonov secretion serves as a true pheromone or is simply a general attractant for honeybee swarms. None of the test odors was more attractive than odorless controls, and in all comparisons, synthetic Nasonov secretion was significantly more attractive than the test odors or odorless controls. The results confirm that Nasonov secretion is a true pheromone in the context of attracting honeybee swarms to nest cavities and that environmentally present or apparent odors play little or no role in honeybee nest-seeking behavior.     

Predatory behavior inTupinambis teguixin (Sauria: Teiidae). I. Tongue-flicking responses to chemical food stimuli

Black tegu lizards (Tupinambis teguixin) have the ability to detect food odors and discriminate between them and nonfood odors. This was tested by offering chemical stimuli on cotton-tipped applicators to the animals. Stimuli were from two plant and two animal species known to be principal items in these lizards' diets, demineralized water as an odorless control, and eaude-cologne as an odorous control lacking feeding or social importance. Tongueflick attack score, latency to attack, preattack tongue-flicks, and number of attacks were analyzed. The results clearly demonstrated that this species responds to chemical food stimuli, but does not respond to odorless nonfood stimuli. Responses differed among food types. There were no sex differences. These results are in agreement with the prediction that lizards having forked tongues and an active foraging mode rely on chemical cues for feeding.