Determination of acetone in human breath by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and solid-phase microextraction with on-fiber derivatization

Analysis of breath acetone has been used as a diagnostic tool for diabetes. Due to its nature of volatility and activity, it is very difficult to accurately measure the concentration of acetone in human breath by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). To overcome this problem, we developed a new method using GC–MS and solid-phase microextraction (SPME) with on-fiber derivatization to determine acetone in human breath. Breath gas from controls and diabetic patients was collected in 3-l Tedlar bags. O-2,3,4,5,6-(Pentafluorobenzyl) hydroxylamine hydrochloride (PFBHA) in solution was firstly adsorbed on the SPME fiber of 65 μm polydimethylsiloxane–divinylbenzene (PDMS–DVB), and then the fiber was further headspace exposed in exhaled gas in the Tedlar bag at 40 °C for 4 min. Finally, the formed acetone oxime on the fiber was desorbed and analyzed by GC–MS. Using external standard method, acetone in the human breath was quantitatively analyzed by measurement of its oxime. The method provided a low detection limit of 0.049 ppbv for acetone in breath, relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) value of 3.4%, excellent accuracy. In addition, the method required simple sample preparation and no organic solvent. Acetone in diabetic breath was found to be higher than 1.71 ppmv, while its concentration in normal breath was lower than 0.76 ppmv. The results show that GC–MS and SPME with on-fiber derivatization is a simple, rapid and sensitive and solvent-free method for determination of low concentration acetone in breath and analysis of breath acetone can be used as supplementary tool for diagnosis of diabetes.