Breath Biopsy: Combining Thermal Desorption-Gas Chromatography with High Resolution Mass Spectrometry for Improved Sensitivity and Selectivity in Untargeted Breath Analysis

Breath Biopsy: Combining Thermal Desorption-Gas Chromatography with High Resolution Mass Spectrometry for Improved Sensitivity and Selectivity in Untargeted Breath Analysis

Jasper Boschmans (1), Cristian Cojocariu (2), Paul Silcock (2), Billy Boyle (1), Alexander Makarov (3) and Max Allsworth (1).

(1) Owlstone Medical Ltd., CB4 0GA UK

(2) Thermo Fisher Scientific, WA7 1TA UK

(3) Thermo Fisher Scientific GmbH, Hanna-Kunath-Str. 11, 28199 Bremen

Full Poster: 

http://ow.ly/qNnD30mrrdp

Abstract: 

The objective of this study was to employ a new analytical approach that allows reliable, sensitive and selective analysis of breath volatiles in untargeted metabolomics. Breath samples were collected and pre-concentrated onto Breath Biopsy Cartridges using a ReCIVA Breath Sampler. Samples were analysed using a thermal desorption (TD) autosampler interfaced with a Thermo ScientificTM ExactiveTM GC OrbitrapTM GC-MS system. Wide dynamic range (> 5 orders of magnitude) and ppt-level sensitivity of the Orbitrap mass spectrometer allow for the detection of both high-abundance volatile organic compounds (VOCs; e.g. acetone) and trace-level analytes within a single analysis. This without the need for additional sample preparation, multiple acquisitions or dilution steps. High mass resolution/accuracy and alternative ionisation methods are employed together with software-based features to improve identification of VOCs in high-density breath data. This study reports the first use of a thermal desorption-GC Orbitrap platform for pre-concentrated breath sample analysis, proving it to be a powerful tool for metabolomics studies and biomarker discovery.