| MadSci Network: Biochemistry |
hello Sarah, i think that the problem most likely lies with bacteria and not the aluminum chloride. according to most of the deoderant/antiperspirant manufacturers (these would consist of companies with websites i could find!) bacteria are the main cause of yellow armpit-stains. this also is supported by the fact that most of the "yellow pit" stain removers act to remove organic-based stains which would exclude aluminum chloride (an inorganic). i wasn't sure why an antiperspirant would cause more bacteria to grow but then i happend upon a webpage of a highschool student who had studied this exact phenomenon ( and did a wonderful job with the experiment and some extensive research!). the results showed that antiperspirants enhance bacterial growth and deodorants seems to be inhibitory. http://matrix.mvhs.fuhsd.org/~i-heng/Biowebsite/journals/vol2/2/a10.html another explaination may be related to the fact that aluminum chloride blocks pores which secrete water, electrolytes, and plenty of other chemicals. one could speculate that some of the secreted substances contain chemicals that are toxic to microbes (this could just be some of the waste in sweat or chemicals that specifically target bacteria and fungi). blocking these toxins from entering an armpit may provide the microbes with a more cooperative habitat. this was not addressed in the experiment above because agar plates were used and the blocking of perspiration was not involved. so it sounds like you should hang on to your salt stick and stay clear of the antiperspirants to avoid destroying your wardrobe! i hope this information was helpful. take care and keep dry, derrick
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