Measuring textile adsorption of body odor compounds using proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry

This paper describes a method for determining the differential adsorption of body odor compounds by three types of yarn/fiber (cotton, polyester, wool) using proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS). Each type exhibited different adsorption profiles. Decanal and cyclohexanone adsorbed more to wool than to either cotton or polyester. Ethylbenzene and butanoic acid methyl ester adsorbed more to polyester than to either cotton or wool. Cotton was a weaker adsorbent than polyester and wool for all odor compounds tested. Phenol was adsorbed highly by all three yarns. The study validated the use of PTR-MS to assess the adsorption of volatile compounds by textile fibers/yarns, and demonstrated its potential to be used as a rapid means of assessing the kinetics of odor adsorption and release by existing and modified materials.