A search for components in human body odour that attract females of Aedes aegypti.
In a new type of wind tunnel, mosquitoes fly upwind towards host odour sources and towards human skin wash extracts obtained by rubbing the skin with a pad soaked in ethanol. We used this behavioural response as a bioassay to identify attractants in liquid chromatography fractions of such extracts. L-Lactic acid is a major constituent of skin wash extracts and it is a necessary component for the extract's effectiveness. As a single stimulus, however, L-lactic acid is only slightly effective. This indicates that the extract's high degree of effectiveness is based on a synergism of L-lactic acid and other odour components. The separation of the extract by liquid chromatography revealed three distinct regions of active fractions, only one of which contained L-lactic acid. The components of the other two regions have not yet been determined. A combination of fractions in these two regions together with L-lactic acid is as attractive as the complete extract.
Geier
M
M
Universität Regensburg, Institut für Zoologie, Germany.
Sass
H
H
Boeckh
J
J
D000330:Aedes / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D009812:Odorants; D010675:Pheromones / Q000737:chemistry
D010675:Pheromones; C010411:insect attractants; D019344:Lactic Acid