Abstract

Bacteria synthesise an extremely rich repertoireof odorous compounds. Unfortunately this feature is notmuch known and bacteria are more often associated withthe bad smell of rotting material. The focus of this review ison the capability of bacteria to synthesize odorous volatiles,either when they are free-living in soil and aquaticenvironments or when they establish symbiotic associationwith plants and animals, with specific reference to humans.In particular, the biological and ecological significance ofbacterial volatiles and their biotechnological perspectivesare covered in this present work.