"Deconstructing Halitosis"

In the magazine Science, they include a section titled RandomSamples that contains a broad range of interesting stories that somehow pertain to science from all over the world. Apparently two weeks ago, the American Society for Microbiology held its first ever symposium on malodour where they engaged various stories of the tiny pests involved in flatulence, manure, livestock, and pet odors.

Just last week though, in the Journal of Breath Research (really?), a microbiologist revealed his soon-to-be patented development- OkayToKiss. Traditionally, Gram-negative (Gm Neg) bacteria were considered the sole instigators of repulsive breathe. However, this latest article (which, I have to be honest, I haven't actually seen the data myself) apparently shows that Gram-positive (Gm pos) bacteria facilitate Gm Neg bacteria by releasing enzymes that in turn expedite the Gm Neg process of stinkification (proteins ---degradation---->VOCs, volatile organic compounds). Dr. Rosenberg developed a saliva test that turns blue when exposed to high amounts of certain enzymes- thus revealing you are fit to kiss or not kiss. I figure this won't indicate or solve onion-breath or tuna-breath...but it is a start to solving one of the world's most serious health problems, clearly :)


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