Protocol for collection and HPLC analysis of volatile carbonyl compounds in breath.
This noninvasive method for collection and analysis of a wide range of aldehydes and ketones in human breath may enable assessment of lipid peroxidation and metabolic status in vivo. Breath samples are drawn through silica cartridges impregnated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, which traps carbonyls as their hydrazone derivatives. The hydrazone derivatives are eluted from the cartridges with acetonitrile, separated by reversed-phase HPLC, and quantified spectrophotometrically. Using this method, we have measured formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, propanal, 2-butanone, butanal, pentanal, and hexanal. Recoveries of carbonyls added to Douglas bags were > 90%, except for 2-butanone, which was 86.2%. The overall CVs for sampling plus analyzing duplicate aliquots of breath were < 11%. The results indicate that this protocol can be used to monitor changes of carbonyl production by analyzing expired air, which may, with further study, indicate physiological and pathological status.
Lin
Y
Y
Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
Dueker
S R
SR
Jones
A D
AD
Ebeler
S E
SE
Clifford
A J
AJ
D000079:Acetaldehyde / Q000032:analysis; D000096:Acetone / Q000032:analysis; D000447:Aldehydes / Q000032:analysis*; D001944:Breath Tests; D002074:Butanones / Q000032:analysis; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006835:Hydrazones; D007659:Ketones / Q000032:analysis*; D010659:Phenylhydrazines; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D014835:Volatilization
D000447:Aldehydes; D002074:Butanones; D006835:Hydrazones; D007659:Ketones; D010659:Phenylhydrazines; D000096:Acetone; D005557:Formaldehyde; C004787:2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine; C005222:methylethyl ketone; C010463:n-hexanal; C005556:propionaldehyde; C046012:pentanal; D000079:Acetaldehyde; C018475:butyraldehyde