Beiersdorf ‘unveils the secret of sweating’

Beiersdorf has announced that its scientists at the Beiersdorf research centre have built upon their knowledge of the single protein molecule that is responsible for the fact that sweating brings about odours.

All of the components of sweat responsible for the smell are transported to the surface of the skin by a protein and it is only there that they are decomposed by bacteria, according to the researchers.

Dr Heiner Max, head of the body care research department at Beiersdorf, said that the results mark the closing of “a large gap in our understanding” of this process.

He added: “The exact identification of the transport protein and its function provides scientists with completely new approaches for continuing research on innovative new products.”

Earlier this month, Beiersorf reported that its business sales growth progressed by 0.9 per cent during the first nine months of 2009, increasing sales to 3.80 million euros (3.41 million pounds) during the period.