Source, impact and removal of malodour from soiled clothing

Chamila Denawaka, Ian Fowlis, John Dean

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Citations (Scopus)
11 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Static headspace – multi-capillary column – gas chromatography – ion mobility spectrometry (SHS-MCC-GC-IMS) has been applied to the analysis of malodour compounds from soiled clothing (socks and T-shirts), pre- and post washing, at low temperature (20 °C). Six volatile compounds (VCs) (i.e. butyric acid, dimethyl disulfide, dimethyl trisulfide, 2-heptanone, 2-nonanone and 2-octanone) were identified. After sensory evaluation of soiled garments they were subjected to laundering with non-perfumed washing powder. The efficiency of the laundering process was evaluated by determining the reduction of each detected volatile compound (VC) post-wash (damp) for socks and T-shirts; VC concentration reductions of between 16 and 100% were noted, irrespective of sample type. Additionally the T-shirt study considered the change in VC concentration post-wash (dry) i.e. after the drying process at ambient temperature. Overall VC concentration reductions of between 25 and 98% were noted for T-shirt samples pre-wash to post-wash (dry). Finally, a potential biochemical metabolic pathway for the formation of malodour compounds associated with bacteria in axillary sweat is proposed.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)216-225
JournalJournal of Chromatography A
Volume1438
Early online date15 Feb 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 Mar 2016

Keywords

  • Malodour
  • Washing efficiency
  • Laundry
  • Washing powder
  • Multi-capillary column–gas Chromatography – ion mobility spectrometry

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