There is no feeling quite like walking into a dusty second-hand bookstore, grabbing a paperback, opening it straight to the middle, and taking a massive, unhinged sniff. No judgment here. We’ve all done it. That cosy, slightly sweet aroma feels like a warm hug for your soul. Also read | Everyday explained: Why do elevators almost always have mirrors? Know the real reason
According to research published on the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI)’s official website, one of the main chemicals released during this breakdown is ‘vanillin’. Ever wonder why an old library smells a bit like a bakery? As paper ages, the organic compounds inside it break down. Yes, that is the exact same compound that gives natural vanilla its delicious scent. Scientists found that by analysing the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) wafting off a book, they could diagnose its health and decay rate without damaging a single page.
In a 2009 study published in Analytical Chemistry, the lead researcher coined the term ‘material degradomics’.
