Insect olfactory biosensors for amines and human sweat odours

This presentation deals with insect olfactory biosensors of blowfly (Calliphora vicina) and mosquito (Aedes communis). Recording, signal analysis, and odour stimulation of the sensors are described. The sensitivity of the biosensors is described on the basis of electrophysiological measurements of antennal olfactory sensillae stimulated with a filter paper method. One type of blowfly olfactory sensor is sensitive to biogenic amines and butyric acid. However, 1-hexanol inhibits this sensor. Another type of blowfly olfactory sensor is sensitive to 1-hexanol odour without inhibitory effects. Mosquito olfactory sensors proved to be sensitive to clean odour chemicals and also to odours coming from human sweat produced in exercise and sauna.