Summary
Introduction:
This text discusses a study that compares the exhaled breath of smokers, non-smokers, and e-cigarette users using Solid phase micro extraction-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS) analysis and multivariate data analysis (MDa) methods. The study aimed to identify characteristic chemicals of each group and develop classification models to differentiate between them.
Key Points:
* The study analyzed exhaled breath samples from 48 volunteers, including 20 non-smokers, 10 smokers, and 18 e-cigarette users.
* The SPME-GC/MS analysis identified various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the breath samples, and the acquired data were processed using MDa methods.
* The MDa results revealed that non-smokers demonstrated inverse correlation with a variety of molecules related to smokers' breath, while e-cigarette users were distinguished from smokers by the chemical speciation of e-liquids.
* Two classification models were developed using principal component analysis (PCa) with hierarchical cluster analysis (hCa) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-Da), with an overall accuracy of 82.76%.
* The study highlights the potential of using SPME-GC/MS and MDa for long-term non-invasive monitoring of the population's health status.
Main Message:
The study demonstrates the successful classification of volunteers into their respective groups (non-smokers, smokers, and e-cigarette users) based on their exhaled breath VOCs using SPME-GC/MS and MDa methods. The respective dynamic combination (SPME-GC/MS and MDa) provides a promising means for long-term non-invasive monitoring of the population's health status for early detection purposes. however, further research is needed to decode the long-term effects of e-cigarettes, as it will take many years to accumulate and study them. additionally, the lack of long-term epidemiological safety data underscores the urgent need for more experimental data, particularly in the context of second- and third-hand vape exposure.
Citation
Papaefstathiou E, Stylianou M, andreou C, agapiou a. Breath analysis of smokers, non-smokers, and e-cigarette users. Journal of chromatography B, analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences. 2020;1160:122349. doi:10.1016/j.jchromb.2020.122349
