Most cited article - PubMed ID 16400196
Generation of volatile compounds on mouth exposure to urea and sucrose: implications for exhaled breath analysis
Selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) is now recognized as the most versatile analytical technique for the identification and quantification of trace gases down to the parts-per-trillion by volume, pptv, range. This statement is supported by the wide reach of its applications, from real-time analysis, obviating sample collection of very humid exhaled breath, to its adoption in industrial scenarios for air quality monitoring. This review touches on the recent extensions to the underpinning ion chemistry kinetics library and the alternative challenge of using nitrogen carrier gas instead of helium. The addition of reagent anions in the Voice200 series of SIFT-MS instruments has enhanced the analytical capability, thus allowing analyses of volatile trace compounds in humid air that cannot be analyzed using reagent cations alone, as clarified by outlining the anion chemistry involved. Case studies are reviewed of breath analysis and bacterial culture volatile organic compound (VOC), emissions, environmental applications such as air, water, and soil analysis, workplace safety such as transport container fumigants, airborne contamination in semiconductor fabrication, food flavor and spoilage, drugs contamination and VOC emissions from packaging to demonstrate the stated qualities and uniqueness of the new generation SIFT-MS instrumentation. Finally, some advancements that can be made to improve the analytical capability and reach of SIFT-MS are mentioned.
- Keywords
- SIFT‐MS, VOCs, cation and anion gas phase chemistry, nitrogen carrier gas, selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry, volatile organic compounds,
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Review MeSH
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.
- Keywords
- Biomarkers, Breath VOCs, Metabolites, SIFT-MS,
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Review MeSH
Breath analysis is becoming increasingly established as a means of assessing metabolic, biochemical and physiological function in health and disease. The methods available for these analyses exploit a variety of complex physicochemical principles, but are becoming more easily utilised in the clinical setting. Whilst some of the factors accounting for the biological variation in breath metabolite concentrations have been clarified, there has been relatively little work on the dietary factors that may influence them. In applying breath analysis to the clinical setting, it will be important to consider how these factors may affect the interpretation of endogenous breath composition. Diet may have complex effects on the generation of breath compounds. These effects may either be due to a direct impact on metabolism, or because they alter the gastrointestinal flora. Bacteria are a major source of compounds in breath, and their generation of H2, hydrogen cyanide, aldehydes and alkanes may be an indicator of the health of their host.
