We have all experienced at some time, shortly after the first raindrops fall, that characteristic and evocative smell known technically as petrichor; a combination of words from Greek mythology, ‘petri’ (rock) and ‘ichor’ (the ethereal blood of the gods). Petrichor is often described as the smell of wet stone, but the odour does not come from the stone minerals themselves. Layers of volatiles can accumulate on the stone surfaces, for example those emitted by microbes and plants, and are modified by the atmosphere. These volatiles are often not well perceivable, unless we put our noses up close. Raindrops can drive them out of their stone surfaces and make them better noticeable. One of the organic molecules enhanced by rain, whose smell we colloquially describe as ‘wet earth’, is the so called 4,8a-dimethyl-decahydronaphthalene4a-ol. This odorant also known as geosmin comes from the Greek, meaning ‘aroma of the earth’ because of its sm
At the limits of the sense of smell
Olfasense has developed standardised methods for the determination of odour threshold values for a great variety of compounds
Log in or register FREE to read the rest
This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text.
If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.
Register
Other News
Featured Supplier
Siltech specializes in the development, manufacturing and marketing of a full line of organo-functional silicone compounds and related products for a wide range of personal care applications. As an Innovation company Siltech has built a reputation of creating novel silicones for customers with new applications. Siltech offers solutions for...
Upcoming Events
in-cosmetics Korea 2022
Hall C, Coex, Seoul, South Korea
13 - 15 July 2022
PCHi China 2022
Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center
18 - 20 July 2022
32nd IFSCC Congress
Park Plaza Hotel, Westminster
19-22 September 2022
in-cosmetics Latin America 2022
Expo Center Norte, Sao Paulo
21 - 22 September
Cosmetorium 2022
Palau de Congressos de Barcelona
28 - 29 September
SEPAWA 2022
Estrel Congress Center, Berlin
26 - 28 October
Access the latest issue of Personal Care Magazine on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.
Download the FREE Personal Care Magazine app from your device's App store
