Abstract
Although malodour formation on textiles and in washing machines has been reported to be a very relevant problem in domestic laundry, the processes leading to bad odours have not been studied intensively. In particular, the smell often described as “wet-and-dirty-dustcloth-like malodour” had not been reproduced previously. We developed a lab model based on a bacterial mixture of Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus hominis, and Corynebacterium jeikeium, which can produce this odour type and which might allow the detailed investigation of this problem and the development of counteractions. The model uses bacterial strains that have been isolated from malodourous textiles. We could also show that the three volatile compounds dimethyl disulfide, dimethyl trisulfide, and indole contribute considerably to the “wet-fabric-like” malodour. These substances were not only found to be formed in the malodour model but have already been identified in the literature as relevant malodourous substances.
Highlights
Apart from human skin and clothing, the washing machine can be considered an important source of water-borne bacteria [5], whereas human skin serves as a reservoir for several members of the transient and resident skin microbiota
Troccaz et al showed that Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum, Staphylococcus hominis, and Anaerococcus spp. are main species that contribute to the formation of body odour [12]
The model developed for the in vitro formation of malodour was based on three influencing factors—the mixture of malodourous bacteria, the textile matrix, and a growth medium, which provided nutrients and humidity
Summary
There are several types of odours that can be associated with textiles [5], this study focuses on the “wet-and-dirty-dustcloth-like” or “wet fabric” malodour [6,7,8]. This problem may occur with laundry when it is hung to dry indoors or even with textiles that have already been dried and stored in damp conditions [3,6,8]. It must be assumed that the development of body odour is one of the factors influencing the formation of laundry associated malodour as well. Troccaz et al showed that Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum, Staphylococcus hominis, and Anaerococcus spp. are main species that contribute to the formation of body odour [12]
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