Got acquainted with iron of people at a civilization dawn. Its properties are rather well studied. However scientists still disagree on whether the smell has iron. Some researchers believe: no, has no. The smell, characteristic of iron, actually proceeds from skin of the person after its contact with this metal.
What smell of iron?
From a course of chemistry it is known that in a natural look iron does not possess a smell. That substance had a smell, it has to be flying. Otherwise molecules will not be able to reach the corresponding receptors which are responsible for this type of feelings. The substances having molecular structure possess a smell. Those substances which have a metal lattice should not smell.
But be taken for the door handle or a metal hand-rail, for other steel subject. You will at once feel a specific smell of metal from palms. However the German scientists are convinced that this smell is born only at contact of metal with skin of the person.
Dietmar Glindeman, the researcher from the university of Leipzig, found out that the acids which are present at sweat initiate reactions between phosphoric and carbon impregnations which are available in iron. During chemical transformations, special flying molecules, smell carriers are formed.
As there is a "metal" smell
Scientists investigated evaporations from the human skin adjoining to iron and made their chemical analysis. As a result odorous connections which the person is capable to catch even in the smallest concentration came to light.
Researchers assume what at contact with metal of people generates mix of the molecules having a smell. This aroma is individual and capable to change during some types of diseases. Such property does the analysis of a smell suitable for creation of methods of early diagnostics in medicine.
The "metal" smack of water has the chemical nature too. Parts of food interact with the oxidized metal. The connections having the expressed taste and a smell are as a result formed.
Scientists consider the main reason of a metal smell fats. Under the influence of special enzymes they are oxidized. Iron objects under the influence of moisture are exposed to corrosion. At the same time there are iron ions, absolutely small amount. But they are enough that the person felt a characteristic metal smell.
Similar reactions are started in hemoglobin. For this reason blood possesses a characteristic smell of iron too. Some predators are capable to catch this specific aroma for many kilometers.
So-called "metal" shades of a smell are widely used by perfumers for creation of unique compositions. It is considered that components of aroma of a rose have the expressed ferruterous smell. Metal notes contain also in oil all of the known geranium and also at grapes essence.
The components which are responsible for a metal smell meet also in fauna: some insects use sharp aroma with metal notes as the "chemical weapon" capable to drive away the enemy.