Decoding Seven Basic Odors by Investigating Pharmacophores and Molecular Features of Odorants

Background: The odors we perceive are primarily the result of a mixture of odorants. There can be one or multiple odors associated with an odorant. Several studies have attempted to link odorant physicochemical properties to specific olfactory perception; however, no universal rule that can determine how and to what extent molecular properties affect odor perception exists. Objective: This study aims to identify important and common features of odorants with seven basic odors (floral, fruity, minty, nutty, pungent, sweet, woody) to comprehend the complex topic of odors better. Methods: We adopted an in-silico approach to study key and common odorants features with seven fundamental odors (floral, fruity, minty, nutty, pungent, sweet, and woody). A dataset of 1136 odorants having one of the odors was built and studied. Results: A set of nineteen structural features has been proposed to identify seven fundamental odors rapidly. The findings also indicated associations between odors, and specific molecular features associated with each group of odorants and shared spatial distribution of odor features. Conclusion: This study revealed olfactory associations, unique chemical properties linked with each set of odorants, and a common spatial distribution of odor features for considered odors.