Molecularly diverse odors advance olfactory threshold testing

Multiple-compound mixtures of odorants are likely to produce significantly more reliable and favorable results of olfactory sensitivity testing. Within the current study, we aimed to investigate this hypothesis and determine the optimal number of odor compounds within a testing stimulus. One-hundred individuals volunteered to participate in the study procedure wherein their olfactory threshold was measured with stimuli varying in the number of compounds during two sessions. We found that molecularly varied stimuli made olfactory threshold assessments relatively independent from an individual variability in sensitivity to specific odorants. Nevertheless, this was only true in certain conditionsdepending on the number of components and quality of the odorants. On this basis, we outline future directions for studies aimed to advance assessments of the olfactory threshold by discussing the relationships between the chemical and physical properties of odorants and results of the threshold assessment they produce. Practical applicationsThis study provides empirical evidence that olfactory threshold testing becomes more favorable and reliable when an odor stimulus contains 10 types of molecules. This is assumed due to an efficient activation of olfactory receptors. These findings advance the current state of knowledge in the field of biology by presenting behavioral responses to the augmented potential for binding molecules through olfactory receptors. Results presented in this manuscript constitute a significant improvement in the methods of olfactory function assessments and should be of interest to both scientific and clinical audience in the fields of neuroscience, chemosensory research, chemistry, and biology. These results are likely to translate to a more accurate assessment of olfactory abilities in commercial settings, that is, perfumes, or wine experts.