cross-posted from: https://mstdn.social/users/compoundchem/statuses/112053145362352366

Image description: Infographic on the aroma of books. The smell of old books is produced by the gradual breakdown of cellulose and lignin in paper. Type of paper and age of the book affect the compounds produced, which include furfural, vanillin and benzaldehyde. The aroma of new books is equally variable, the compounds causing it coming from adhesives, inks, and chemicals used for paper treatment. Many of these chemicals are odorless themselves, but can react and contribute to the release of aroma chemicals.

(Originally published earlier today on mstdn.social) - Click the Fedi-Link to visit.

  • boredtortoise@lemm.ee
    2·
    9 months ago

    Wondering if the book adhesive, inks or chemicals used in modern print have changed so that the now new books will have a different old book smell in the future than our old books now.

  • pseudo@slrpnk.netEnglish
    1·
    9 months ago

    I love to read books of a certain format from the 70’ for their special smell. I wonder which chemical is at cause.

  • freamon@endlesstalk.orgEnglish
    1·
    9 months ago

    (sorry to intrude). This has had a few cross-posts on Lemmy. The link that goes to !tails@lemmon.website is attributed to the author of the image, so you can reply to them via that community if you wish.