149 

 present in the oily or waxy phase rather than the aqueous phase when these phases 



were tested in an olfactometer. The general thought is that excess perspiration 



masks the attractants. The emphasis of this section is to provide additional insight 



as to why attraction is diminished with respect to emanation of attractants (e.g. lactic 



acid) from the skin. 



Phase differences 



Dissolution of perspiration directly in methanol was expected to produce 

 relatively abundant ions in the mass spectra due to the relatively large amount of 

 perspiration (approximately 150 mg) dissolved. This can be compared to the amount 

 of emanations transferred to beads by handling. One hundred glass beads were 

 weighed prior to and after being handled for 10 minutes. A negligible weight 

 difference was measured (i.e. < 0.1 mg). Since the minute quantities deposited on 

 beads was adequate to produce the spectra shown here, it was expected that 

 approximately 150 mg (0.15 mL dissolved in 3 mL of methanol) of perspiration 

 would contain more than an adequate amount of emanations. 



The perspiration solution existed as a cloudy white mixture. After allowing 

 this mixture to settle overnight, two distinct phases were present. The aqueous 

 (methanolic) phase was separated from the oily phase containing the white residue. 

 The aqueous phase was analyzed by GC/NCI/MS; characteristic ions seen from the 

 analysis of beads were noticeably absent. Lactic acid was not observed in this 

 fraction of the sample either (see top mass chromatogram in figure 3-20). Analysis 

 of the oily phase revealed the presence of fatty acids and lactic acid; although, these 



