Advances in Breath Analysis: Novel Method for Identifying Volatile Organic Compounds and Commercial Applications
A recent study introduced a novel approach combining robust breath and background collection techniques, which effectively distinguished breath volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from environmental contamination. Using thermo-desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC–MS), the researchers identified VOCs against chemical standards, producing a comprehensive list of high-confidence breath VOCs from a diverse human population. This research, published in Metabolomics, has the potential to revolutionize breath analysis by offering a reliable methodology for detecting VOCs in human breath samples.
While most metabolomic studies focus on aqueous metabolites in blood, urine, and feces, breath represents a rich matrix containing thousands of different VOCs. The non-invasive nature of breath sampling makes it an attractive tool for clinical applications, such as early diagnosis and continuous health monitoring. However, the clinical utility of breath biomarkers has been limited, partly due to inconsistent methodologies and lack of quality controls across breath analysis studies. This study aimed to address these challenges by developing a robust platform that accurately identifies VOCs originating from breath while distinguishing them from background VOCs that may come from sampling equipment or ambient air.
The analysis of 90 adult breath samples yielded a list of 148 VOCs, identified using purified chemical standards. These results are significant because they pave the way for future biomarker discovery and validation in clinical studies. The team emphasized that this list of breath-borne VOCs will facilitate cross-study data comparisons and contribute to improved standardization in the field of breath analysis.
The researchers plan to expand this list by studying a broader range of populations and physiological conditions to capture the full diversity of VOCs present in breath. By continuing to compare background samples collected alongside breath samples, they hope to further refine the VOCs confidently identified as being breath-borne. This method holds promise for the future of disease biomarker identification, particularly in early detection.
Meanwhile, Labio Medical AB, a Swedish company, is working to commercialize breath analysis through the application of gas chromatography–ultraviolet (GC-UV) spectroscopy. They are exploring the potential of using breath analyzers for detecting biomarkers associated with diseases such as lung cancer and diabetes. GC-UV spectroscopy offers a highly sensitive and specific way to identify VOCs in breath, which could be instrumental in diagnosing diseases at an early stage. By leveraging the ability of GC-UV to provide comprehensive, three-dimensional spectral data, Labio Medical aims to bring innovative, non-invasive diagnostic tools to the healthcare market.
This combination of academic research and commercial development represents a significant step forward in the field of breath analysis. As methodologies for VOC detection become more accurate and commercially viable, we may soon see widespread use of breath analysis as a tool for disease screening and health monitoring, offering a non-invasive and efficient approach to personalized medicine.
Researchers and companies like Labio Medical are driving innovation in breath analysis, with the potential to improve early disease detection, reduce healthcare costs, and enhance patient outcomes. With continued advancements in GC-UV technology and VOC identification, the future of breath analysis looks promising, particularly for lung cancer, diabetes, and other critical health conditions.
References
1. Arulvasan, W.; Chou, H.; Greenwood, J. et al. High-Quality Identification of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Originating from Breath. Metabolomics 2024, 20. DOI: 10.1007/s11306-024-02163-6
2. Costello, B. L.; Amann, A.; Al-Kateb, H.; Flynn, C.; Filipiak, W.; Khalid, T.; Osborne, D.; Ratcliffe, N. M. (2014). A Review of the Volatiles from the Healthy Human Body. J. Breath Res. 2014, 8 (1), 014001. DOI: 10.1088/1752-7155/8/1/014001
3. Haworth, J. J.; Pitcher, C. K.; Ferrandino, G.; Hobson, A. R.; Pappan, K. L.; Lawson, J. L. D. Breathing New Life into Clinical Testing and Diagnostics: Perspectives on Volatile Biomarkers from Breath. Crit. Rev. Clin. Lab. Sci. 2022, 59 (5), 353–372. DOI: 10.1080/10408363.2022.203807
4. Issitt, T.; Wiggins, L.; Veysey, M.; Sweeney, S. T.; Brackenbury, W. J.; Redeker, K. Volatile Compounds in Human Breath: Critical Review and Meta-Analysis. J. Breath Res. 2022, 16 (2), 024001. DOI: 10.1088/1752-7163/ac5230
5. Jia, Z.; Patra, A.; Kutty, V. K.; Venkatesan, T. Critical Review of Volatile Organic Compound Analysis in Breath and in vitro Cell Culture for Detection of Lung Cancer. Metabolites 2019, 9 (3), 52. DOI: 10.3390/metabo9030052
