153 

 obtained with sample concentration, whereas analyses in this dissertation were 



conducted without sample concentration. 



The existence of lactic acid in the oily phase implies that it preferentially 



resides in this phase. Handling glass beads appears to favor the deposition of oily 



or waxy emanations over aqueous perspiration. Perspiration on the skin tends to be 



very dilute [29]. It also exists above the layer of sebaceous excretions in order to 



readily evaporate. The absence of lactic acid in this phase supports the assertion 



that excess perspiration may mask lactic acid attraction. Additional attractants may 



also be masked by excess perspiration, implying that they also exist in the oily phase 



on the skin. The origin of most oily excretions are sebaceous glands. Therefore, the 



deduction from this work is that attractants, whether sebaceous in origin or not, tend 



to preferentially reside in the sebaceous phase rather than aqueous perspiration 



phase. 



Conclusions 



Lactic Acid Reactions 



The negative ion fragmentations, attachments, and oligomerization were 

 examined and rationalized. Analysis of negative ions from lactic acid provided 

 informative fragments allowing for quick identification of the presence of this 

 compound in a sample; lactic acid is difficult to identify by EI library searching. 

 The oligomerization reactions in the gas phase were found to be similar to solution- 

 phase reactions. TTie formation of these oligomers (in the form of dimers, trimers, 



