Odor Reproduction Technology Using a Small Set of Odor Components

Abstract

Replicating specific scents by mixing ‘base odors’ is the main idea behind the concept of odor reproduction. Just as primary colors can be combined to generate a wide range of colors in visual perception, the hope is to find a similar principle in olfaction. However, defining such ‘primary odors’ is difficult due to the complexity of our sense of smell, which is much different from vision. In spite of these challenges, numerous scientists have endeavored to identify a combination of basic smell components that can mimic various scents. Currently, the suggested combinations of smell components are typically only successful at recreating specific, intended scents. The range of reproducible scents differs based on the selection of base odors, yet these studies have provided valuable knowledge about the nature of these primary odors. This review paper will focus on the latest studies related to odor reproduction. Understanding odor space, odor reproduction, and the challenges encountered when expanding the range of odors will be explained. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.