Terrible smell from the mouth. The most unpleasant odors in the world

In the human nasal cavity, there are chemical olfactory receptors that trap volatile aromatic substances (VAS) and form a specific sensation, which we call smell.

The “pleasantness” of odors depends on the molecular structure of LA. In a 2007 study, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley considered 1500 properties of 150 different molecules to establish the relationship between the "pleasantness" of the smell and its physical and chemical properties.

It turned out that the molecular weight and electron density are closely related to how we perceive the smell. Heavier and more “unwrapped” molecules tend to be associated with bad odors (such as butanol that smells like rotting wood), while lighter and more compact molecules are associated with pleasant odors (compact and light limonene that smells like citrus).

In addition to chemical, there are other factors in the perception of odors. Research shows that this difficult process is related to evolution: if human ancestors had not learned to identify dangerous odors and avoid them, our species would not have survived.

“Laboratory rodents who have never met a cat are afraid of her smell, but do not react to new dangerous scents,” the authors write in the article.

And although each person has his own ideas about pleasant and unpleasant odors, there are objectively bad ones among them.

Uranus

Recent studies have confirmed that . This is due to the presence in the atmosphere of the planet a large number hydrogen sulfide.

Asked if a person could smell Uranus' stink, scientists laugh it off: “You won't live long enough to do that. Asphyxiation and exposure to temperatures of -200 degrees Celsius in an atmosphere composed primarily of hydrogen, helium and methane act much faster than odor.”

durian

This exotic fruit smells so bad that it once led to a mass evacuation. More than 500 students and teachers left the building of the Royal Institute of Technology Melbourne (Australia) in connection with a probable gas leak. It turned out that the cause of the stench was a rotten durian fruit, lying in a closet in one of the offices. His scent spread throughout the university through the air conditioning system.

Durian owes its characteristic smell to 44 reactive aromatic compounds that can smell anything from rotten egg to caramel.

Cheese Vieux Boulogne

Vieux Boulogne is the stinkiest cheese in the world. In 2007, the scientist tested it using an "electronic nose" - a device that detects volatile organic compounds and diagnose infections genitourinary system. Oddly enough, the flavor of the cheese gave a positive result.

The status of the cheese was also confirmed by experts from Cranfield University (Great Britain), calling its smell the worst of 14 other bad-smelling cheeses. Vieux Boulogne even surpassed Epuas, a cheese so stinky that it was banned from public transport in its native France.

ancient excrement

In 2014, archaeologists conducting excavations in the city of Odense (Denmark) discovered wooden barrels with impurities. The age of the find was 700 years, but their fetid contents were preserved. This made the researchers shudder in disgust, but helped to learn a lot about the life of the inhabitants of European villages in the 1300s. It turned out that they loved to eat berries and used moss, leather and cloth as toilet paper.

Things or living organisms often have an unpleasant smell, which, as it were, warn us of danger, signaling us: "Do not eat me, I am dangerous." What smells are recognized as the most terrible?

1. Rotten eggs

The smell of rotten eggs is unmistakable. And all thanks to hydrogen sulfide gas, which begins to form during the breakdown of protein containing sulfur. This gas not only smells disgusting, it is explosive and harmful to health.

2. Skunk

If you look closely, you can see that in fact the skunk is a beautiful fluffy animal. He even wants to cuddle like a cat. But everyone in the world knows that it is better not to approach him because of the special weapon of the skunk. It is able to shoot a nauseating liquid from the anal glands in case of danger or alarm. It will be difficult to hide from her, she flies out at high speed at a distance of up to three meters. In addition to the terrible smell, the liquid causes profuse lacrimation, nausea and dizziness.

3. Tobacco smoke

Most people don't cringe at the "aroma" of tobacco smoke, and some even enjoy it. But people who choose to breathe fresh air Most of the time they can't stand the smell. It is difficult to get rid of it, it eats into clothes and hair, and even into the skin. Surprisingly, in some cases, even smokers dislike the smell of tobacco.

4. Durian

This fruit is considered by many to be very tasty, just a gift from the gods for our taste buds. However, all this will be available to you only if you decide to approach the cut durian, despite its disgusting smell. This fruit is forbidden for consumption in public places, its smell is difficult to remove from the room. However, durian is not only endowed with great taste, but also useful vitamins and micronutrients.

5. Stale fish

Surely you know many who, in principle, do not like the aroma of fish, even fresh. Most people try to quickly cope with shopping in fish stores. However, the "aroma" of stale and rotten fish is a real adventure. Nobody can bear it.

6. Sweat

Sweat is nothing but water combined with salts and organic matter. Sweat itself is odorless, however, in summer we often hear this extremely bad smell in public places. The fact is that sooner or later bacteria begin to multiply in it, after which a characteristic repulsive smell appears. The way to fight is very simple - a daily shower (and, if necessary, several times a day) and a good antiperspirant.

7. Cat urine

The excrement of any animal or person, in principle, cannot smell good, but the smell of cat urine stands apart from this list. It is extremely difficult to deal with him if your pet is not yet accustomed to the tray. And if the smell can be removed from a hard surface over time, although it is very difficult, then soft surfaces will always remind you of who was here once.

By studying smells, primitive people could get a lot of useful information, for example, distinguished between edible and harmful products. But not all the most smelly substances and objects are unsuitable for human use.

The stinkiest fruit

Oddly enough, but the most horrible smell belongs to the fruit, which has the most exquisite taste. Durian has already won many hearts of those who have tasted it. People note that the combination of tastes in it resembles a mixture of cheese and nuts, and the smell is rotten meat. But at the expense of the characteristics of its aromas, as soon as people did not excel. Someone compared it to the smell of decaying flesh, someone spoke of a rotten onion and dirty socks.

One Englishman who tried durian back in the 19th century said: "It's akin to eating a herring with blue cheese over an open sewer." It is because of these characteristics that in public places in Thailand you can find the image of durian crossed out with a red stripe. This means that entry into the premises with such a product is prohibited.

The durian is native to Thailand. Local residents have already got used to cooking soup out of it, making ice cream or just eating it raw. They can safely eat the fruit and not be disgusted. For beginners who decide to try the fruits of the most smelly tropical tree, they simply recommend pinching your nose or, taking a deep breath through your mouth, enjoy it unusual taste. In addition, it is not recommended to eat durian with your hands - it is better to use a spoon. Otherwise, the smell from the skin of the fingers will not be washed off for a long time. Also, you can not drink this fruit with strong alcoholic beverages. This combination causes a strong reaction of the stomach.

By the way, apart from palatability, durian contains many useful components and rich in proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Even a small slice of this fruit causes a feeling of satiety and satisfies hunger for for a long time.

The stinkiest celebrities in history

Henry IV, King of France, was one of the most foul-smelling people. Being an avid hunter, he didn't bother washing himself often after killing a few animals. Therefore, even the daily change of shirts could not hide the unpleasant smell.

Howard Hughes became not only one of the most foul-smelling people in history, but also received legendary fame. In 1957, he locked himself completely naked in a film studio, taking milk, chocolate and napkins with him. When Howard returned to society, he firmly refused to wash, and cut his nails and hair only once a year. Therefore, in order to identify his corpse, the police had to take fingerprints from the body.

smelly foods

What people don't eat! Sometimes the degree of their imagination rolls over. And okay, if eating foods from this list was just a way to survive, for example, in a hungry age. But how can you eat dishes prepared in this way, in modern world?

The first place among such unusual "delicacies" is occupied by casu marzu cheese, which is produced on the island of Sardinia. To make this dish, larvae are planted in pecorino cheese. cheese fly. Feeding on this product, they decompose it, as a result of which it acquires a rather pungent odor and a soft texture. Usually, before eating, the cheese is put in plastic bag and wrap it tightly so that the larvae die. But some gourmets prefer to put slices of cheese along with insects on bread and drink wine. This way of using the product is dangerous to health. IN gastrointestinal tract human larvae can continue to multiply, causing intestinal dysfunction.

In second place is quite strange dish kiwiak - traditional delicacy Eskimos and Inuit. They wrap about half a thousand uncleaned birds in sealskin, fill them with fat and sew the skin tightly so that air does not get inside. Buried in the ground, crushed with a heavy stone. After some time, the kiviak is dug up, the birds are plucked and eaten, biting off their heads and sucking out the insides. During the manufacturing process, bird carcasses acquire a disgusting specific smell.

The most fragrant flowers on earth

The first place of fragrant flower given to hyacinth. In addition to the unusual smell, this flower has a beautiful legend. It is believed that it is named after the ancient Greek God Hyacinth, who for a long time was best friend Apollo. They often organized various competitions in the form of games and sports tournaments. In one of these competitions, Hyacinth had an accident. Apollo threw discs and accidentally hit his friend with one of them. Scarlet drops of blood splashed on the juicy green grass where beautiful flowers appeared after a while. Their stately appearance and magnificent aroma resembled a dead Hyacinth. So Apollo named these flowers after his friend. Phloxes have an exquisite aroma

It is still believed that phloxes are a symbol of love and mutual fidelity. If this flower is placed on the pillow of a sleeping lover, whose feelings have cooled, they will flare up with renewed vigor.

Surprisingly large flowers also grow on Earth. For example, Rafflesia can weigh up to 11 kg. .
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If at least once in your life you were "lucky" to break rotten egg, then you will never forget this most nauseating smell in the world. The reason for it is hydrogen sulfide, a gas that is formed during the decomposition of sulfur-containing proteins. It is poisonous and flammable. Used mainly in the chemical industry. And yes, the apartment, after its release, will need a very long airing.

The smell of a skunk

This cute fluffy animal is not as harmless as it seems at first glance. One of its features is the anal glands, which, in case of danger, shoot at a distance of up to 3 meters. smelly liquid. Substances from this fluid at high concentrations are lachrymators (act like tear gas) and can cause nausea and dizziness.

Tobacco smoke

A smell that is extremely unpleasant to people, leading healthy lifestyle life. It can make your head spin and watery eyes. It is also very corrosive, and its aroma remains on things for a long time. The suffocating smell of tobacco often irritates the smokers themselves, because they all become as if saturated with it.

The smell of durian

The ripe fruit has a very corrosive, sweetish-putrid smell, reminiscent of the smell of garlic, rotten onions, rotten fish and sewage. It is forbidden to carry it into public places, because after the fruit is eaten, such a “flavor” remains that it cannot be weathered for a long time by any means. cosmetics. However, it is considered the "king of fruits" due to its useful properties and divine taste.

Smell of stale fish

It can envelop us not only on the counter of a fish store, but also when walking on the banks of a river or lake. At such a moment, you want to plug your nose and run as far as possible from the fetid source.

Smell of sweat

You can’t hide or hide from him, we often become his victim in public places. Almost always there is a stinky person nearby who will not stand aside, but will definitely snuggle up to us. We will not hide the fact that all of us, in stressful and exciting situations, can exude smells that are not very pleasant for others.

Smell of cat urine

Pet owners know firsthand what it is and how difficult it is to deal with it. It’s also good if the cat goes to its tray regularly, in such cases the filler helps to remove the smell. But if the animal decided to play pranks, and wrote on the carpet or sofa, then no matter what we do, the unpleasant smell, alas, will remain there forever.

Smell of onion or garlic

Greens are very useful for our body and are one of the sources of vitamins. How delicious is it boiled potatoes or rich borscht! That's just after using it, it is better not to leave the house, as the smell from the mouth can scare everyone around.

Traffic fumes

Their smell is familiar not only to drivers, but also to ordinary pedestrians. They are products of oxidation and incomplete combustion of hydrocarbon fuels. Exhaust emissions are the main reason for exceeding the permissible concentrations of toxic substances and carcinogens in the atmosphere of large cities, the formation of smog, which is a common cause of poisoning in confined spaces. They can only be avoided in a remote village.

The smell of bleach

Water purification by chlorination is the cheapest and most effective method for today. Those who often go to the pool know how difficult it is to get rid of the peculiar smell of bleach later. In everyday life, bleach is used as a means that disinfects well, removes rust and other contaminants. Often its smell can be found in hospitals, kindergartens and schools.