Selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry, SIFT-MS, is a non-separative method for direct quantitative analyses of volatile compounds, VOCs, in air and humid breath based on chemical ionization. Selected reagent ions, either H3O+, NO+ or O2 + (non-reactive with major components of air), ionize analyte molecules during a defined time in a flow tube by ion-molecule reactions thus producing analyte ions that are characteristic of the neutral analyte VOCs. Concentrations can be calculated in real-time from the ion count rates. Direct on-line analysis of single or multiple breath exhalations or off-line analysis of breath samples collected into bags can be performed. Several volatile breath metabolites have been quantified by SIFT-MS, including ammonia, acetone, hydrogen cyanide, alcohols, pentane, acetic acid, methane, and sulphur compounds. Their potential as biomarkers is discussed.

J Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Dolejškova 3 182 23 Prague 8 Czech Republic

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Recent developments and applications of selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS)

How to Use Ion-Molecule Reaction Data Previously Obtained in Helium at 300 K in the New Generation of Selected Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry Instruments Operating in Nitrogen at 393 K