2022 Volume 73 Issue 5 Pages 246-254
We evaluated the odor level of trimethylamine (TMA) kept in an airtight container with 1 liter of rush (Juncus effusus L. var. decipiens Buchen.) and bamboo charcoal sheets. Rush, or igusa in Japanese, is a main material of tatami facing, while bamboo charcoal sheets may be used to remove unpleasant odors from wooden boards used as a structural material between tatami facing and the inner part of tatami mats.
As a result of sensory evaluation, the TMA odor in the presence of rush or bamboo charcoal sheets decreased significantly (p＜0.01) 10 minutes after the experiment began, and after 24 hours the smell of TMA was judged to be almost undetectable. Measurements using an apparatus also revealed that rush immediately reduced the TMA level. However, data from sensory evaluations and apparatus measurements did not completely agree. Furthermore, sensory differences in the deodorization effects between the same amounts of rush and bamboo charcoal sheets were not observed. Although it is thought that the deodorizing mechanism of rush compositely depends on sensory perception and chemical and physical relationships, further studies may be required to better understand the mechanism, including the duration of the deodorization effects.
