Determination of acetone in human breath by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and solid-phase microextraction with on-fiber derivatization

Abstract

Analysis of breath acetone has been used as a diagnostic tool for diabetes. Due to its nature of volatility and activity, it is very difficult to accurately measure the concentration of acetone in human breath by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). To overcome this problem, we developed a new method using GC-MS and solid-phase microextraction (SPME) with on-fiber derivatization to determine acetone in human breath. Breath gas from controls and diabetic patients was collected in 3-l Tedlar bags. O-2,3,4,5,6-(Pentafluorobenzyl) hydroxylamine hydrochloride (PFBHA) in solution was firstly adsorbed on the SPME fiber of 65 microm polydimethylsiloxane-divinylbenzene (PDMS-DVB), and then the fiber was further headspace exposed in exhaled gas in the Tedlar bag at 40 degrees C for 4 min. Finally, the formed acetone oxime on the fiber was desorbed and analyzed by GC-MS. Using external standard method, acetone in the human breath was quantitatively analyzed by measurement of its oxime. The method provided a low detection limit of 0.049 ppbv for acetone in breath, relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) value of 3.4%, excellent accuracy. In addition, the method required simple sample preparation and no organic solvent. Acetone in diabetic breath was found to be higher than 1.71 ppmv, while its concentration in normal breath was lower than 0.76 ppmv. The results show that GC-MS and SPME with on-fiber derivatization is a simple, rapid and sensitive and solvent-free method for determination of low concentration acetone in breath and analysis of breath acetone can be used as supplementary tool for diagnosis of diabetes.

Trace species detection in the near infrared using Fourier transform broadband cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy: initial studies on potential breath analytes

“…Levels of isoprene have been reported at ~ 200 ppb [30,31], while those of acetone and methane can reach tens of ppm, depending upon the condition of the subject [31][32][33][34][35]. To simulate the relative concentrations possible in breath of isoprene and acetone, a mixture was made of 0.5 % of isoprene and 5 % acetone, buffered in air.…”

Highly sensitive volatile organic compounds vapour measurements using a long period grating optical fibre sensor coated with metal organic framework ZIF-8

“…The measurement of ethanol in breath is of high interest in traffic safety [2], where the accepted alcohol limits in blood vary across Europe from 0.2 to 0.8‰, which corresponds to a concentration of 30-130 ppm in breath [2]. The detection of acetone in breath is important in medical diagnostics, where the increase of acetone concentration (single ppm units) can be related to diabetes [3] and high concentration (tens-hundreds ppm) is observed as symptom of ketoacidosis [4]. VOCs are usually measured using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), however, the detection is expensive and needs experienced personnel [5].…”

Tissue metabolomic fingerprinting reveals metabolic disorders associated with human gastric cancer morbidity

“…recent technological advances in NMr spectroscopy and mass spectrometry have further improved the sensitivity and spectral resolution of cancer metabolomic study (21). Among the various techniques conventionally used for cancer metabolic profiling, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/Ms) has been proven to be a robust metabolomic tool and is widely applied in metabolite identification and quantification based on its high sensitivity, peak resolution and reproducibility (22)(23)(24). since cancers are known to possess highly unique metabolic phenotypes, identification of specific biomarkers using metabolomics may be useful for early cancer detection and prognosis.…”