Cause of Body odor

The oil glands present on skin secret complex lipid that may be partially degraded by certain Gram positive bacteria(Propionibacterium acnes). These bacteria can change the secreted lipids to unsaturated fatty acids. Some of the saturated fatty acids are volatile and and may be associate with strong body odor. Therefore many body deodorants contain antimicrobial substances that act selectively against gram-positive bacteria to reduce the production of volatile unsaturated fatty acids and boy odor.