title: Vacuum ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy in combination with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography for the monitoring of volatile organic compounds in breath gas: A feasibility study.
abstract: Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) absorption spectroscopy was recently introduced as a new detection system for one, as well as comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) and successfully applied to the analysis of various analytes in several matrices. In this study, its suitability for the analysis of breath metabolites was investigated and the impact of a finite volume of the absorption cell and makeup gas pressure was evaluated for volatile analytes in terms of sensitivity and chromatographic resolution. A commercial available VUV absorption spectrometer was coupled to GC×GC and applied to the analysis of highly polar volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Breath gas samples were acquired by needle trap micro extraction (NTME) during a glucose challenge and analysed by the applied technique. Regarding qualitative and quantitative information, the VGA-100 is compatible with common GC×GC detection systems like FID and even TOFMS. Average peak widths of 300ms and LODs in the lower ng range were achieved using GC×GC-VUV. Especially small oxygenated breath metabolites show intense and characteristic absorption patterns in the VUV region. Challenge responsive VOCs could be identified and monitored during a glucose challenge. The new VUV detection technology might especially be of benefit for applications in clinical research.
authors.affiliation: Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Comprehensive Molecular Analytics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Chair of Analytical Chemistry, University of Rostock, Dr. Lorenz Weg 1, 18059 Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Beate
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gruber
authors.affiliation: Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Comprehensive Molecular Analytics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Chair of Analytical Chemistry, University of Rostock, Dr. Lorenz Weg 1, 18059 Rostock, Germany. Electronic address: thomas.groeger@helmholtz-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Groeger
authors.affiliation: VUV Analytics, Inc., Austin, TX 78717, United States.
authors.forename: Dale
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.affiliation: Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Comprehensive Molecular Analytics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Chair of Analytical Chemistry, University of Rostock, Dr. Lorenz Weg 1, 18059 Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
mesh_terms: D001944:Breath Tests / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D057230:Limit of Detection; D014618:Vacuum; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds
keywords: GC×GC; Needle trap device (NTD); Needle trap micro extraction (NTME); Short chain fatty acids (SCFA); VOCs; VUV