Key Takeaways:

• Givaudan scientists are the first to map 20 human scent receptors.
• This discovery bridges science with creativity in future perfume creation.
• This breakthrough opens the door to more precise, emotionally powered fragrances.

Givaudan has announced a discovery that could change the way fragrances are created, bringing science and artistry together.

After decades of research, the world’s largest fragrance house has decoded how the human nose detects and recognizes natural scents. This marks a significant scientific milestone, promising enhanced precision in perfume design.

Humans’ ability to perceive scent depends on roughly 400 types of olfactory receptors—specialized proteins inside the nose that detect odor molecules. For more than 30 years, researchers have tried to study these receptors, but due to their low sensitivity in lab conditions, their scent matches have remained unknown.

By subtly modifying the tail ends of the receptors, Givaudan scientists enhanced their sensitivity by up to 100 times. The breakthrough made it possible to detect previously silent receptors and match them with the specific scent molecules they recognize. This unlocked 20 human odor receptors newly mapped to their corresponding smells.

“For the first time, we have been able to match specific human odor receptors to the natural scents they detect, revealing that in some cases a single receptor is enough to signal a complex odor to the brain,” said Agnes Bombrun, Head of Ingredients Research for Fragrance Science and Technology at Givaudan, in a press release. “This insight rewrites what we knew about olfaction, making possible the recreation of nature’s most recognizable notes with perfect fidelity, and to imagine entirely new molecules and formulations.”

Understanding which molecules trigger which receptors means perfumers can now design compositions that target highly specific sensory effects.

“This progress turns receptor science into a creative edge, enabling olfactory experiences that are more powerful, unique, and precisely crafted than ever before,” said Jeremy Compton, Global Head of Science and Technology, Fragrances at Givaudan. “This pioneering research marks a turning point where smell science becomes a direct creative advantage, allowing Givaudan to lead the way in impactful, distinctive, and targeted fragrances that stand out in the market.”

Givaudan’s long-standing mission to create olfactory signatures that capture both emotion and performance now has new precision, paving the way for fragrances to be more precise than ever before.