Most parents will be familiar with the smell of a teenager’s bedroom.
Now, scientists have confirmed they really do have their own special scent – of sweat, urine, musk and sandalwood.
Researchers compared the chemical composition of body odour samples from 18 infants aged between zero and three-years-old, and 18 teenagers aged between 14 and 18.
There was an even mix of male and female participants in each age group.
Samples were collected from cotton pads that were sewn into the armpits of t-shirts and body suits worn by the participants for one night.
Most parents will be familiar with the smell of a teenager’s bedroom. Now, scientists have confirmed they really do have their own special scent – of sweat, urine, musk and sandalwood (stock image)
Teenage participants and the parents of infant participants were instructed to avoid strongly-flavoured foods and perfumed products and detergents for 48 hours prior to the study.
Analysis revealed that although the chemical composition of body odour was similar in both groups, those collected from teenagers contained higher levels of certain acids.
The odours of these acids are described as ‘cheesy’, ‘fruity and dried plum-like’, ‘musty, coriander-like and fatty’, ‘goat-like’, ‘wax-like and soapy’ and ‘earthy, grassy and green bell pepper-like’.
The researchers also identified two compounds that were found exclusively in samples from teenagers, which they report smelling of ‘sweat, urine and musk’ as well as sandalwood.
Meanwhile the infant body odour samples were described as ‘violet-like’ and ‘soap and perfume-like’.
The authors suggest that some of the differences in chemical composition may result from the difference in activity of sebaceous glands and apocrine sweat glands – both associated with the hair follicle – between teens and infants.
They speculate that the absence of unpleasant-smelling steroids together with lower levels of certain acids in infant body odour samples could contribute to them being typically rated as more pleasantly scented than teenager body odours.
The team, from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany, published their findings in the journal Communications Chemistry.
They wrote: ‘Body odours contribute differently to interpersonal communication between parents and their offspring at different stages of development.
‘Already shortly after birth, infants learn to recognize their mother´s individual odour and parents are able to identify their own infant’s body odour, which is preferred over the smell of other infants.
‘Body odours of infants are pleasant and rewarding to mothers and, as such, probably facilitate parental affection.
‘In contrast, body odours of pubertal children are rated as less pleasant and parents are unable to identify their own child during this developmental stage.’
