Israeli researchers at the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot say they have identified an enzyme in ocean algae responsible for producing the scent of the sea.
While scientists have long known that the familiar smell is caused by the molecule dimethylsulfide (DMS), which algae produce in large amounts, the exact mechanism by which the molecule is created is still being studied.
In the study published in Science magazine, the Israeli team said it had identified the enzyme Alma1 as responsible for converting the molecule dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) into DMS in the algae Emiliania huxleyi.
They said DMS production in various forms of E. huxleyi correlated with the levels of Alma1 present in the algae.
The role of DMS is more significant than reminding us of seaside vacations. The sulfuric compound is thought to play a major part in cloud formation above the seas, and is also used by various birds and marine animals to navigate.
Get The Times of Israel's Daily Edition
by email and never miss our top stories
By signing up, you agree to the
terms
Help us report truthfully on social media
As a multimedia journalist, my job is to take the quality, fact-based journalism produced by The Times of Israel newsroom and make it accessible across every platform — from Instagram posts to podcasts to short-form videos.
This is how many, especially young people, consume news these days. But misinformation is rampant on social media. Our team at ToI produces accurate, responsible short-form reporting on Israel and the Jewish world.
If you believe in the importance of factual social media journalism, please consider joining our reader support group, The Times of Israel Community. Your financial support is essential to sustain responsible multimedia reporting.
— Gabriella Jacobs, multimedia journalist
Support our work
Support our work
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
You're a dedicated reader
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
That’s why we started the Times of Israel - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
Join Our Community
Join Our Community
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
