Xref: utzoo sci.research:1597 sci.psychology:4554 sci.bio:4602
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!samsung!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!emory!gatech!purdue!haven!umbc3!umbc2.umbc.edu!fant
From: fant@umbc2.umbc.edu (Andy Fant)
Newsgroups: sci.research,sci.psychology,sci.bio
Subject: Re: Skunk Glands
Message-ID: <5399@umbc3.UMBC.EDU>
Date: 14 Mar 91 04:36:12 GMT
References: <1991Mar14.005509.20271@massey.ac.nz>
Sender: newspost@umbc3.UMBC.EDU
Reply-To: fant@umbc2.umbc.edu
Organization: Mad scientists for a better tomorrow
Lines: 20

In article <1991Mar14.005509.20271@massey.ac.nz>, A.S.Chamove@massey.ac.nz (A.S. Chamove) writes...
>I am interested in making some SKUNK ODOUR.
> 
>Does anyone know if this can be done, have a reference as to its
>composition, or had any experience in its manufacture?
> 

If memory serves, There was an article in Scientific American within the last 2
or 3 years that addresses the chemical composition of skunk spray.  The basic
composition was 7 or so assorted thioesters that gave it the ability to remain
pungent for an extended time.  There were a couple of thiols that also aided the
odor.  I belive the full analysis was done by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spec, but
no confirmational mixture was made.  For more data, try sci.chem.  If Larry 
Lippman doesn't know more details, then they don't exist.

+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 Andy "The Fantom" Fant                     (fant@{umbc2,chem3,umbc4}.umbc.edu)
      Disclaimer: My postings are definitive, reality is often inaccurate
  "It is my supposition that the Universe is not only queerer than we imagine,
	It is queerer than we CAN imagine." - J.B.S. Haldane