1st mention of a trimethylamine cellphone sensor for TMAU

Colorimetric sensor detects trimethylamine.
At the prototype stage.
Isense Systems own the IP rights but unlikely to make a device.
You can contact them to encourage them.
Protoype created by Suslick lab at University of Illinois.
Encouraged by me contacting him a few years ago.
Uses disposable color paper to identify TMA levels.
Not an ideal sensor solution but only one mentioned so far.

Abstract of paper : Rapid Quantification of Trimethylamine

Abstract
Sensitive detection of trimethylamine both in aqueous and gaseous phases has been accomplished using an inexpensive colorimetric sensor array. Distinctive color change patterns provide facile discrimination over a wide range of concentrations for trimethylamine with >99% accuracy of classification. Calculated limits of detection are well below the diagnostically significant concentration for trimethylaminuria (fish malodor syndrome). The sensor array shows good reversibility after multiple uses and is able to cleanly discriminate trimethylamine from similar amine odorants. Portable sensing of trimethylamine vapors at ppb concentrations is described using a cell phone camera or a hand-held optoelectronic nose. Application of the sensor array in detecting mouth and skin odor as a potential tool for portable diagnosis of trimethylaminuria is also illustrated.

not a tma sensor

People diagnosed with TMAU (trimethylaminuria) usually smell intermittently and cannot smell their odor, which means they do not know when they smell and a sensor would greatly help them. I have inquired about a potential trimethylamine (TMA) sensor for a few years with no success. This sensor is a protoype that uses color to identify a level of TMA. A bit like litmus paper.

I enquired to the Suslick lab about this a few years ago, and now they have created a prototype device (about size of cigar) that connects to a cellphone. It uses disposable colorimetric paper.

Ideal trimethylamine sensor :
connects to a phone (maybe bluetooth).
small device.
no need for accessories.
works like a alcohol breath sensor.

The colorimetric device is not ideal but perhaps worth following up as it's the only known TMA sensor at the moment. If you feel it might help it might be worth contacting Isensesystems.com to register an interest in a trimethylamine sensor. It would seem unlikely they will go ahead but hearing of interest may encourage them.  

email isensesystems.com

sub-par FMO3 needs :
cheap and accessible TMAU urine and DNA test
TMA sensor
Gene Therapy cure and other treatments (e.g. DMB)

My own view :
As mentioned, it doesn't seem an ideal solution, but is the only proposed TMA sensor I have heard of yet. While TMA may be a 'signature' volatile for those with sub-par FMO3 enzyme function, my own view is that those with sub-par FMO3 are likely to smell of many sulfides and amines. Nevertheless, detecting TMA is a start/

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By sysbodyodor

fecal body odor, olfactory, trimethylamine sensor

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Utrecht Research : emotions make odors

A new research paper suggests that emotions generate chemicals that can cause odors. These are known as chemosignals. It seems that previously it has been connected with negative emotions, and this paper suggests odors can be caused by positive emotions too.

Daily Mail link to emotions causing odor

My view on the possible relevance to this and metabolic malodors :
I have long thought there may be a connection between metabolic malodors and emotions. Not the only connection, but perhaps one trigger. My main current view is that this may be because emotions generate chemicals, and chemicals can affect enzyme function or may have to be 'neutralized' by enzymes themselves. I also do not think it may be limited to emotions, which are only one type of chemicals generated in humans. Even neurotransmitters, hormones etc are probably chemicals which then need to be dealt with by enzymes, or may affect enzyme performance.

For instance FMO3 enzyme oxidizes sulfides and amines of a certain structure. These sulfides and amines are probably abundant in the environment and generated internally too. Their preferred enzyme for being neutralized by the body may be FMO3. So things like emotions or hormones may affect the ability of FMO3 enzyme, or cause an overload of the enzyme (for instance).

So research like this may long-term be part of the metabolic malodor puzzle, though it seems like early days in understanding this aspect of research.

Research abstract : A sniff of happiness (April 2015)

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By sysbodyodor

olfactory, why can't I smell myself ?

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Enose for metabolic malodor : MyDx looks potentially promising

A consumer enose would be a very useful monitoring system for people with metabolic malodors. The MyDx sensor by CDxlife looks like an ideal potential candidate device. It's a device that can be used with a mobile phone via bluetooth. CDxlife is a company spin-off from NASA.

Currently they do not have a sensor for trimethylamine but hopefully they will someday. I would say this is looking to be an ideal tool to suit the needs of metabolic malodors. Until recently such a device seemed to have not been technologically possible (consumer device) but it seems to have got to that stage now.

About the MyDx sensor device
It seems to be in 2 parts. First part is the device, and the second part is plug in sensors that you can buy separately and change. I think it can connect to other devices by bluetooth and USB. There will be a mobile phone app that comes with whatever sensor is bought.

Public interaction :
They seem a very social-media conscious company, which is a big boost. Often such research companies are not very public friendly. In particular they have used Indiegogo to gauge interest. Anyone can use Indiegogo to raise funds for something.

Indiegogo crowdfunding : 
CDxlife used Indiegogo to gauge interest in their device and first sensor. Their first sensor was for cannabis. The campaign was a success and is now closed.
You can see their first Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign here.
MyDx Indiegogo 1st campagin : cannibis

Anyone wanting to inform them of the need for a trimethylamine sensor can contact them via their website.
http://cdxlife.com

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By sysbodyodor

crowdfunding, enose sensor, metabolic malodor, olfactory

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Fecal Body Odor : Barmaid couldn't smell me

This is an anecdotal story of why I believe some people have a genetic 'anosmia' (or probably more likely a higher sensory threshold) to people with 'fecal body odor' (or call it 'sulfide and amine body odor' or 'FMO3 substrate body odor')

I was in a bar sitting at the bar one time, say quarter full, no noticeable music playing. A guy sitting about 5 feet to my right said to the barmaid 'smell that guy' and the barmaid said 'I can't smell anything'. I believe her.

This has happened to me a few times and it is my belief that a sizeable minority of people cannot smell someone with a FMO3 issue due to genetic reasons probably to do with the same enzyme. This may also be true for other enzyme disorders that cause a smell. I'm guessing many people carry the variants for FMO3. Presumably the number carrying mutants is much lower. But you can end up a 'compound heterozygote' where you are carrying certain variants in an order that can cause FMO3 deficiency at times.

On the good side this means that perhaps 5-20% (my estimate) cannot smell you when you smell, so to them you are not odorous. This may not be true for 'severe' genetic FMO3 cases (I don't know). However I guess 'mild' and 'severe' cases even have a bigger desensitivity to the odors than 'carriers'. Personally I believe about 1% of the population could be 'at risk' of FMO3 substrate overload at times.

Something to think about.

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By sysbodyodor

fecal body odor, fmo3, olfactory

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