Direct analysis of fatty acid vapors in breath by electrospray ionization and atmospheric pressure ionization-mass spectrometry

Anal Chem. 2008 Nov 1;80(21):8210-5. doi: 10.1021/ac801185e. Epub 2008 Sep 26.

Abstract

Real time analysis of human breath is achieved in an atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer (API-MS) by negatively charging exhaled vapors via contact with an electrospray cloud. The spectrum observed is dominated by a wide range of deprotonated fatty acids, including saturated chains up to C14. Above C14, the background from cutaneous sources becomes dominant. We also tentatively identify a series of unsaturated fatty acids (C7-C10), ketomonocarboxylic acids (C6-C10), and a family of aldehydes. The ionization probability of large fatty acids increases drastically when the humidity changes from 20% to 95%. Accordingly, distinguishing lung vapors (humid) from those in the background (dry) requires special precautions. Estimated fatty acid vapor concentrations in breath based on our measurements ( approximately 100 ppt) are in fair agreement with values expected from blood concentrations in the range for which data are available (C3-C6).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Atmospheric Pressure*
  • Breath Tests
  • Fatty Acids / analysis*
  • Fatty Acids / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Ion Channels / chemistry
  • Online Systems
  • Probability
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / methods*
  • Volatilization

Substances

  • Fatty Acids
  • Ion Channels