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“Perfume is the essential complement to the personality, the indispensable finishing touch on an outfit.”

Christian Dior

I am sure all of us would agree but in a hot humid weather, after an intense workout sessions and stress can often produce unpleasant odors that even a strong perfumesreadily available in the market are incapable of neutralizing.

But, how would you feel if your ‘clothes’ could cover up these embarrassing smells with a surge of fragrance? Yes, you read it right. In a recent research, a new fabric that releases its own fragrance to combat such stinks has been invented.

We already know about the fabrics infused with scents of aromatherapy essential oils. The researchers have now combined this with the concept of making advanced smart fabrics.

According to the science journal Applied Materials & Interfaces, published by the American Chemical Society, a team of biological engineers from the University of Minho in Portugal have developed modified fabrics thatcan use sweat against itself! They have made cotton fabric that releases Citronella aroma (a lemongrass-derived scent) when it comes in contact with sweat.

During their first trial, the scientists used a protein found in pigs’ noses that binds to scent molecules. To that they attached a carbohydrate-binding module, which binds to cotton.

In their second approach, they used fat-like liposomes rather than proteins to bind the pleasantscents tothe fabric.The modified cotton fabric was then exposed to an acidic sweat solution. The low pH of the perspiration caused the odorant-binding protein and liposomes to release citronellol.

While comparing the strategies, it was discovered that the protein gave off a quick burst of scent, while the liposomes produced a slower, controlled release.

According to the engineers’ research paper, “Functional textiles incorporating fragrances could be an effective clothing deodorizing product.”

In addition to that, Citronella is also a popular insect repellent. Using it may result in keeping both, the mosquitoes and bad body odor, at bay.