We have measured the effect of rat odorant-binding protein 1 on the rates of ligand uptake and liquid-to-air transfer rates with a set of defined odorous compounds. Comparison of observed rate constants (k(obs)) with data simulated over a wide range of different kinetic and thermodynamic regimes shows that the data do not agree with the previously held view of a slow off-rate regime (k(off) <0.0004 s(-1)). We propose that a rapid koff would be a necessary requirement for such a system, since slow odorant-release rates would result in significant decorrelation between the olfactory world and odour perception. (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.