What is Deodorant and Its History with some Basic Informatiom

Deodorants are substances applied to the body to affect body odor caused by bacterial growth and the smell associated with bacterial breakdown of perspiration in armpits, feet and other areas of the body.

The first commercial deodorant, Mum, was introduced and patented in the late nineteenth century by an inventor in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, whose name has been lost to history. The product was briefly withdrawn from the market in the U.S. but is currently available at U.S. retailers under the brand Ban.

Deodorants like zinc oxid, boric and benzonic acid may be satisfactories incorporated into powder.Hexachlorophene is an effective deodorants in stick or powder form. A powder containining 0.5% and the stick containing 0.25% of hexachlorophene reduce by 99% the bacterial population of the axillary fossae.

Topically applied antibiotics will also have deodoreizing properties. Tests were 3% of Aureomycin was used proved 80% supperession of bacterial growth in axillae. Tyrothicin and Neomycin have similar properties also.

Ion exchange resins were found to have properties to absorb in vitro the odours substances in sweat.

A mixture of anion and cation resin proved more effective than when used separately. When these anion and cation resin where incorporated in 20% proportion in ointments or emulsions the deodorization is complete.