Alternative enzyme substrates as deodorants

A deodorant composition comprising an axillary malodor-suppressing effective amount of a compound of the structure ##STR1## where X is O--R, and R is a) a branched or straight alkyl chain of one to about ten carbon atoms that may be substituted with one or more hydroxyl, amino, carboxyl, or phenyl groups;

• or b) an aromatic ring that is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more hydroxyl, amino, or carboxyl groups, or an aliphatic carbon chain of one to about eight carbon atoms, in a dermatologically acceptable vehicle.