The discriminating nose
— Ever since the first cat
beat the first housewife to the market basket, we human beings have been curious about our sense of smell. Most recent studies explain the process this way: L To be smelled, a materia! must be volatile and continually losing molecules to the atmosphere. 2. The molecules enter the nasal passages where they are usually aided by a sniff and directed to the olfactory receptors. 3. Molecules lodge on those receptors which have suitable molecular dimensions. (Molecules of similar shape, regardless of their component atoms, frequently have a similar smell.) 4. The settiingof molecules on the receptors is accompanied by an energy change, probably due to reduction of surface tension. 5. The energy change causes electric impulses to pass up the olfactory nerve to the brain. 6. Brain processes result in the sensation of smell. This theory seems to accommodate all observed phenomena of olfaction —particularly the two chemical phenomena: Substances which are not volatile have no odor. Of the volatile substances, molecular shape of the substance determines its odor. Pleasant aromas are an important factor in the appeal of many food products. For greatest marketability and appetite appeal, foods must be displayed in attractive packages that retain natural flavor and aroma with no effect on these qualities from the packaging material. Marathon Division of American Can Company produces and prints millions of packages yearly for some of the nation's leading food companies. Their rotogravure printing inks must meet strict specifications for purity and lack of odor. USS nitration grade Toluene meets these requirements. Its rapid evaporation rate and low impurity content result in a minimum of residuals in the dried ink—a most important factor in protecting the full flavor of a food product. USS nitration grade Toluene meets the highest standards of quality and is ideal for manufacture of printing inks for food packages. For assured purity, specify USS nitration grade Toluene, one of the family of chemicals produced by United States Steel. Chemical Sales Offices: Pittsburgh; New York; Chicago; Salt Lake City; Fairfield, Ala.
Benzene • Toluene • Xylene • Phenol • Cresol • Cresylic Acid • Naphthalene • Creosote • Pitch • Picoline • Pyridine < Ammonium Sulfate • Ammonium Nitrate • Anhydrous Ammonia • Nitric Acid
(ussi U$S) Chemicals TRADEMARK
