Thirty-five women were included in a clinical study to characterize the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by the skin during exposure to psychological stress. An original silicon-based polymeric phase was used for VOC sampling on the forehead before and after stress induction. Cognitive stress was induced using specialized software that included a chronometer for semantic and arithmetic tasks. Assessment of stress was monitored using a State-trait anxiety inventory questionnaire, analysis of participants’ verbal expressions and clinical measurements. Identification and relative quantification of VOCs were performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Stress induction was validated by a significant increase in state-anxiety as indicated by the questionnaire, modifications in electrodermal activity measurements and the expression of stress verbatims. In parallel, a sebum production increase and a skin pH decrease were observed. A total of 198 VOCs with different potential sources were identified. They were categorized in 5 groups: probable cosmetic composition, VOCs produced by the body or its microbiota, environmental origin, and dietary intake. In our qualitative statistical approach, three VOCs were found to be correlated with stress induction and 14 compounds showed significance in the paired Wilcoxon test. Fatty-acyls derived from lipids were predominantly identified as well as ethylbenzenes.

一项临床研究纳入了 35 名女性，旨在表征在承受心理压力时皮肤释放的挥发性有机化合物 (VOC)。原始硅基聚合物相用于在应力感应前后对前额进行 VOC 采样。使用专门的软件诱发认知压力，其中包括用于语义和算术任务的计时器。使用状态特质焦虑量表、参与者言语表达分析和临床测量来监测压力评估。通过气相色谱-质谱法对挥发性有机化合物进行鉴定和相对定量。压力诱导通过问卷显示的状态焦虑显着增加、皮肤电活动测量的修改和压力逐字表达来验证。同时，观察到皮脂产生增加和皮肤 pH 值降低。共鉴定出 198 种具有不同潜在来源的 VOC。它们被分为 5 组：可能的化妆品成分、身体或其微生物群产生的挥发性有机化合物、环境来源和饮食摄入量。在我们的定性统计方法中，发现三种 VOC 与应激诱导相关，并且 14 种化合物在配对 Wilcoxon 测试中显示出显着性。主要鉴定出源自脂质的脂肪酰基以及乙苯。