Clinical Chemistry, Vol 33, 140-141, Copyright © 1987 by American Association for Clinical Chemistry

Technique for gas-chromatographic measurement of volatile alkanes from single-breath samples

EJ Zarling and M Clapper

For detection of small quantities of alkanes that are present in expired breath, these gases have hitherto been concentrated, either by passing large volumes of breath through a liquid-nitrogen-cooled precolumn or by use of a closed collection system. Here, we describe a technique for analyzing small volumes of gas from single-breath samples from humans, in which no precolumn is required. Results are linearly related to sample concentrations of ethane, propane, butane, and pentane in the range 0 to 13 nmol per liter of air (r = 0.999). Within- run coefficients of variation were less than 15%. Breath samples could be stored for as long as 10 h without loss of the alkanes. We also report alkane concentrations in samples of alveolar gas and total breath collected from normal subjects. This technique appears to be well suited for measuring alkane concentrations in single-breath samples.

The following articles in journals at HighWire Press have cited this article:

				M. Barker, M. Hengst, J. Schmid, H-J. Buers, B. Mittermaier, D. Klemp, and R. Koppmann Volatile organic compounds in the exhaled breath of young patients with cystic fibrosis Eur. Respir. J., May 1, 2006; 27(5): 929 - 936. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C M Harrison and C C Andersen Exhaled breath measures of inflammation: are they useful in neonatal chronic lung disease? Arch. Dis. Child. Fetal Neonatal Ed., January 1, 2005; 90(1): F6 - F10. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Paredi, S. A. Kharitonov, and P. J. Barnes Analysis of Expired Air for Oxidation Products Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., December 15, 2002; 166(12): S31 - 37. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. A. KHARITONOV and P. J. BARNES Exhaled Markers of Pulmonary Disease Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., June 1, 2001; 163(7): 1693 - 1722. [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. PAREDI, S. A. KHARITONOV, and P. J. BARNES Elevation of Exhaled Ethane Concentration in Asthma Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., October 1, 2000; 162(4): 1450 - 1454. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. PAREDI, S. A. KHARITONOV, D. LEAK, S. WARD, D. CRAMER, and P. J. BARNES Exhaled Ethane, a Marker of Lipid Peroxidation, Is Elevated in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., August 1, 2000; 162(2): 369 - 373. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. C. de JONGSTE and K. ALVING Gas Analysis Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., August 1, 2000; 162(2): S23 - 27. [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. PAREDI, S. A. KHARITONOV, D. LEAK, P. L. SHAH, D. CRAMER, M. E. HODSON, and P. J. BARNES Exhaled Ethane Is Elevated in Cystic Fibrosis and Correlates with Carbon Monoxide Levels and Airway Obstruction Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., April 1, 2000; 161(4): 1247 - 1251. [Abstract] [Full Text]