Connect with us

Skunk Stink’s Natural Enemy: Fungi?

Credit: TOM BRAKEFIELD/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS

Finally, no more tomato sauce baths…

It is no secret that one of the most recognizable smells on Earth is that of a skunk spray. The spray is so potent that the smell can linger for days and weeks on whoever is unlucky enough to be sprayed by the black and white creature.

As it turns out, fungi may be able to put a stop to this foul odor. Tolypocladium, otherwise known as pericosine, reacts with sulfur compounds and forms a residue that isn’t offensive to the nose and can be washed away much easier. This could be the first chemical to actually put up a strong fight against the skunk’s smell!

Scientists stumbled across this compound when they were growing the fungus with different fungal species. The Tolypocladium produced pericosine that reacted with the chemicals made by the other fungus. They were surprised to see this and began to wonder what else it could take on.

They decided to mix it with the essence produced by a skunk spray and were delighted to see that the smell had gone away. It is also apparent that pericosine handled similar to eyes and skin with ease. It was not harmful at all; in fact, it was actually gentler, causing no irritation.

The evidence suggests that this could finally be the cure for lingering skunk spray on the human body or the fur of an animal. It is taking on the fashion of a personal-care product rather than a chemical reaction.

Connect