title: Determining the limits and confounders for the 2-pentyl furan breath test by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.
abstract: Aspergillus fumigatus produces 2-pentyl furan (2-PF), a volatile compound not produced by many other pathogens or normal human metabolism. 2-Pentyl furan has been detected in the breath of patients with invasive aspergillosis (IA) by SPME pre-concentration coupled with CG/MS providing the possibility of an attractive diagnostic test. The limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) for peak integration were assessed both statistically and empirically respectively. 2-Pentyl furan was detected from 10 of 45 food stuffs tested. Levels were highest from soymilk (3 of 3 brands), lower from pumpkin, peanuts, rolled oats 2, Ensure Plus, tinned asparagus, tinned beans and a vegetable exact (Marmite). No 2-PF was detectable in anti-fungal medications used to treat IA or commonly used cosmetics tested. There was no difference in 2-PF breath levels between morning and afternoon or fasting and non fasting samples taken from healthy subjects eating a diet without 2-PF rich foods. 2-Pentyl furan levels were present in breath samples immediately after a mouth rinse with soy milk (P<0.001), and in some subjects after ingesting soy milk and rinsing their mouth with water. The breath test for 2-PF can be conducted without an overnight fast or at a specified time provided the mouth has been rinsed 30 min or more from when 2-PF containing products have been ingested.
authors: University of Otago, Department of Pathology, PO Box 4345, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand.
authors: Shrawan
authors: S
authors: Bhandari
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: Chambers
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Pearson
authors: Mona
authors: M
authors: Syhre
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Epton
authors: Amy
authors: A
authors: Scott-Thomas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods*; D003069:Coffee / Q000737:chemistry; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000032:analysis; D005215:Fasting / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005504:Food Analysis; D005663:Furans / Q000032:analysis*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D052617:Solid Phase Microextraction; D041942:Soy Milk / Q000737:chemistry; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D003069:Coffee; D003358:Cosmetics; D005663:Furans; C530101:2-pentylfuran