Premium
Impact of oral cleansing strategies on exhaled volatile organic compound levels
Author(s) -
Vadhwana Bhamini,
Belluomo Ilaria,
Boshier Piers R.,
Pavlou Chrystalla,
Španěl Patrik,
Hanna George B.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
rapid communications in mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.528
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1097-0231
pISSN - 0951-4198
DOI - 10.1002/rcm.8706
Subject(s) - acetaldehyde , breath gas analysis , chemistry , contamination , medicine , food science , chromatography , ethanol , ecology , organic chemistry , biology
Rationale The analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) within exhaled breath potentially offers a non‐invasive method for the detection and surveillance of human disease. Oral contamination of exhaled breath may influence the detection of systemic VOCs relevant to human disease. This study aims to assess the impact of oral cleansing strategies on exhaled VOC levels in order to standardise practice for breath sampling. Methods Ten healthy volunteers consumed a nutrient challenge followed by four oral cleansing methods: (a) water, (b) saltwater, (c) toothbrushing, and (d) alcohol‐free mouthwash. Direct breath sampling was performed using selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry after each intervention. Results Proposed reactions suggest that volatile fatty acid and alcohol levels (butanoic, pentanoic acid, ethanol) declined with oral cleansing interventions, predominantly after an initial oral rinse with water. Concentrations of aldehydes and phenols (acetaldehyde, menthone, p ‐cresol) declined with oral water rinse; however, they increased after toothbrushing and mouthwash use, secondary to flavoured ingredients within these products. No significant reductions were observed with sulphur compounds. Conclusions Findings suggest that oral rinsing with water prior to breath sampling may reduce oral contamination of VOC levels, and further interventions for oral decontamination with flavoured products may compromise results. This intervention may serve as a simple and inexpensive method of standardisation within breath research.