A novel microreactor approach for analysis of ketones and aldehydes in breath

Analyst. 2011 Nov 21;136(22):4662-6. doi: 10.1039/c1an15618g. Epub 2011 Sep 6.

Abstract

We report a fabricated microreactor with thousands of micropillars in channels. Each micropillar surface is chemically functionalized to selectively preconcentrate gaseous ketones and aldehydes of exhaled breath and to enhance ultra-trace, rapid analysis by direct-infusion Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry (MS). The micropillar reactive coating contains the quaternary ammonium aminooxy salt 2-(aminooxy)ethyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium iodide (ATM) for capturing trace carbonyl VOCs by means of an oximation reaction. We demonstrate the utility of this approach for detection of C(1) to C(12) aldehydes and ketones in exhaled breath, but the approach is applicable to any gaseous sample.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aldehydes / analysis*
  • Aldehydes / chemistry
  • Analytic Sample Preparation Methods
  • Breath Tests / instrumentation
  • Breath Tests / methods*
  • Gases / analysis
  • Gases / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Ketones / analysis*
  • Ketones / chemistry
  • Microtechnology / instrumentation
  • Microtechnology / methods*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Aldehydes
  • Gases
  • Ketones