A polyanionic polyamide salt which comprises chain units of the formula: ##STR1## in which X denotes ##STR2## R being an aliphatic radical containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, each Y independently denotes a divalent aliphatic or cycloaliphatic radical, Z denotes a divalent radical of the formula: ##STR3## and M.sup.+ denotes a sodium or potassium ion or a quaternary ammonium ion of the formula: ##STR4## in which each of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 independently denotes a hydrogen atom or a methyl, ethyl, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, methylhydroxypropyl or methyl-dihydroxypropyl radical, the viscosity of a 5% by weight aqueous solution of the salt being from 1 to 500 centipoises at a temperature of 25.degree. C., are provided which act as deodorants and deodorisers.