Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Marianela Santoyo-Zedillo, Isabelle Andriot, Geraldine Lucchi, Gustavo Pacheco-Lopez, Hector Escalona-Buendia, Thierry Thomas-Danguin, Charlotte Sinding
Summary: This study used proton transfer reaction mass spectrometer (PTR-MS) to monitor in vivo release of odorants via the retronasal pathway during retronasal odor-taste stimulation in a supine position. Different techniques were tested to improve odorant release. The results showed that odorant release can be observed during stimulation in a supine position and the optimal timing for release is before swallowing.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE METHODS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Oliver Gould, Natalia Drabinska, Norman Ratcliffe, Ben de Lacy Costello
Summary: Mass spectrometry (MS) is a versatile analytical technique that is widely used in various scientific fields. It provides new insights into proteomics and metabolomics. MS can detect volatile compounds in human samples for disease diagnosis, drug monitoring, and metabolic processes. Hyphenated MS techniques offer qualitative analysis with high accuracy and sensitivity, while real-time MS techniques provide highly sensitive quantitative data in a shorter time frame.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Prince Tiwari, Tiantian Wang, Julian Indlekofer, Imad El Haddad, Serge Biollaz, Andre Stephan Henry Prevot, Houssni Lamkaddam
Summary: This study presents an online, real-time measurement of trace contaminants in the cleaning stream of a biogas plant using Vocus proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometer. More than 300 VOCs and 30 VOSCs were identified in the raw biogas, with dimethyl sulfide being the most dominant VOSC. The VOCUS-PTR-MS technology is shown to be a rapid and accurate tool for monitoring biogas facilities, providing valuable insights into biogas production.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Rui Su, Tongtong Yang, Xinrui Zhang, Na Li, Xingying Zhai, Huanwen Chen
Summary: Breath analysis is an attractive and non-invasive strategy for monitoring metabolic dynamics in living organisms. Mass spectrometry is a powerful analytical platform for breath analysis, and ambient mass spectrometry has been widely adopted due to its minimal/sample pretreatment requirements. This tutorial review introduces the principles, setup, procedures, applications, and future prospects of mass spectrometry-based techniques for breath analysis, aiming to facilitate further development and application in this field.
TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Spectroscopy
Oliver Hegen, Jorge I. Salazar Gomez, Robert Schloegl, Holger Ruland
Summary: SIFT-MS and PTR+SRI-MS are analytical techniques used for real-time qualification and quantification of compounds in gas samples with trace level concentrations. In the detection process, neutral volatile organic compounds are ionized via chemical ionization with common reagent ions such as H3O+, NO+ and O-2(+center dot). The choice of reagent ions and reaction conditions can impact the resulting products.
MASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Aline Robert-Hazotte, Philippe Faure, Franck Menetrier, Mireille Folia, Mathieu Schwartz, Jean-Luc Le Quere, Fabrice Neiers, Thierry Thomas-Danguin, Jean -Marie Heydel
Summary: Odorant metabolizing enzymes play a crucial role in the peripheral olfactory process, affecting the intensity and quality of the signal. This study provides evidence that the metabolism of the odorant pentane-2,3-dione is influenced by a competing odorant, leading to an increase in its nasal availability. These findings have important implications for the management of flavor perception in food.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Chris Callewaert, Maria Pezavant, Rony Vandaele, Bart Meeus, Ellen Vankrunkelsven, Phaedra Van Goethem, Alain Plumacker, Benoit Misset, Gilles Darcis, Sonia Piret, Lander De Vleeschouwer, Frank Staelens, Kristel Van Varenbergh, Sofie Tombeur, Anouck Ottevaere, Ilke Montag, Patricia Vandecandelaere, Stijn Jonckheere, Linos Vandekerckhove, Els Tobback, Gregoire Wieers, Jean-Christophe Marot, Kurt Anseeuw, Leen D'Hoore, Sebastiaan Tuyls, Brecht De Tavernier, Julie Catteeuw, Ali Lotfi, Alexey Melnik, Alexander Aksenov, Dominique Grandjean, Miguel Stevens, Frank Gasthuys, Hugues Guyot
Summary: Detection dogs trained to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection based on armpit sweat odor showed good performances with an overall sensitivity of 81%, specificity of 98%, and an accuracy of 95%. They can be used as an accurate pre-screening tool alongside the PCR test.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Amber M. Yeoman, Marvin Shaw, Alastair C. Lewis
Summary: The use of personal care products during showering results in emissions of volatile organic compounds, with reproducible patterns but noticeable variations in absolute peak concentrations between users. Real-world emissions are lower than estimated, likely due to products being washed away before VOC evaporation could occur.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yueqi An, Shanbai Xiong, Yanping Qian, Michael C. Qian
Summary: Transglutaminase-induced cross-linking can regulate the aroma release of surimi gels by affecting the concentrations and release rates of aroma compounds, with harder gels releasing fewer aroma compounds. Increasing cross-linking degrees first decrease, then significantly increase the release of aroma compounds, showing a negative correlation with the springiness and gel strength of surimi gels.
Article
Ecology
Miguel Portillo-Estrada, Charlotte Van Moorleghem, Sunita Janssenswillen, Richard Joseph Cooper, Claudia Birkemeyer, Kim Roelants, Raoul Van Damme
Summary: PTR-TOF-MS has the potential to decode the chemical language of vertebrates by measuring VOC emissions in real-time. By accurately monitoring and recording the full spectrum of VOCs emitted by individuals, including transient emissions, this tool can help resolve vertebrate interactions and identify ecologically relevant VOCs. The instrument's adaptability to various experimental set-ups and its compatibility with structure verification tools like GC-MS make it a valuable asset in vertebrate chemical ecology research.
METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Andrea Warburton, Patrick Silcock, Graham T. Eyres
Summary: The flavor profile of sourdough bread is influenced by the compounds generated during fermentation by yeasts and lactic acid bacteria. In this study, twelve different sourdough cultures were used to produce breads, and the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and physicochemical features were analyzed. The results showed three distinct clusters of sourdough breads, with differences in VOCs and other characteristics related to yeast and LAB fermentation dominance.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chinmoy Sarkar, Gracie Wong, Anne Mielnik, Sanjeevi Nagalingam, Nicole Jenna Gross, Alex B. Guenther, Taehyoung Lee, Taehyun Park, Jihee Ban, Seokwon Kang, Jin-Soo Park, Joonyoung Ahn, Danbi Kim, Hyunjae Kim, Jinsoo Choi, Beom-Keun Seo, Jong-Ho Kim, Jeong-Ho Kim, Soo Bog Park, Saewung Kim
Summary: A compound identified as ketene was observed in emission plumes from a petrochemical facility in South Korea, with high mixing ratios and significant implications for local photochemistry. Further studies on the atmospheric fate and photooxidation of ketene are necessary to enhance our understanding of VOC OH reactivity and tropospheric O-3 production.
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Julien Morin, Gregory Brochard, Virgine Berge, Aurelie Rosset, Sebastien Artous, Simon Clavaguera, Rafal S. Strekowski, Henri Wortham
Summary: Given the toxic nature of many VOCs in indoor settings, it is important for the building engineering community to develop control strategies for contaminant removal. Photocatalytic paints offer a promising solution for air decontamination, and this study evaluates their efficiency in removing m-xylene. The results show that the paint containing PEG 3350 nanoparticles has the highest photocatalytic activity and reduces VOC emissions with aging time, making it a promising solution for indoor air decontamination.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-NANO
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Lamiaa A. Shaala, Torki Alzughaibi, Gregory Genta-Jouve, Diaa T. A. Youssef
Summary: The fungal strain Fusarium sp. LY019 was isolated from the Red Sea sponge Suberea mollis, producing two novel dimeric alkaloids, fusaripyridines A and B. These compounds exhibit a unique molecular structure and antimicrobial activity, providing insights into the biosynthetic capabilities of marine-derived fungi.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eric Foerster, Harald Boenisch, Marco Neumaier, Florian Obersteiner, Andreas Zahn, Andreas Hilboll, Anna B. Kalisz Hedegaard, Nikos Daskalakis, Alexandros Panagiotis Poulidis, Mihalis Vrekoussis, Michael Lichtenstern, Peter Braesicke
Summary: The number of large urban agglomerations is increasing worldwide, leading to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The EMeRGe campaign investigated emissions from European and Asian major population centres to improve understanding of pollution outflows. Two methods were used to identify and characterize pollution outflows, including using chemical tracers and estimating contributions from source regions.
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Bianca Lok, Gunnar Mueller, Johannes Ganster, Jens Erdmann, Andrea Buettner, Philipp Denk
Summary: The rising demand for plastics worldwide has led to the exploration of natural alternatives to non-renewable mineral oil-based resources. Lignin, an abundant natural polymer, shows promise as a replacement for petroleum-based resources. However, the strong odor of lignin presents a challenge for its use in high-quality applications. This study evaluated the odor properties and composition of commercially available lignins and polyethylene blends, identifying 71 odorants primarily derived from the complex structure of lignin. The research highlights the importance of purifying lignin raw materials and implementing odor reduction strategies during the blending process.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nicole Kornbausch, Marcel W. Debong, Andrea Buettner, Jean-Marie Heydel, Helene M. Loos
Summary: Odorants, small molecules easily taken up and distributed in the human body, lack sufficient evidence on their metabolism, pathways, and bioactivities. This review aims to encourage interdisciplinary research on the biotransformation of odorants, providing an overview of their uptake, metabolism, and functions in different parts of the human body. Perspectives for future research are also discussed.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Helen Haug, Luise Klein, Tilman Sauerwald, Birte Poelke, Jonathan Beauchamp, Alexander Roloff
Summary: This review presents different sampling approaches for determining VOC emissions from consumer products, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of each method in terms of time and cost efficiency, as well as their suitability for realistically assessing VOC inhalation exposures.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biochemical Research Methods
Makoto Sawano, Jonathan Beauchamp
JOURNAL OF BREATH RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Y. Lan Pham, Wojciech Wojnowski, Jonathan Beauchamp
CHEMICAL RESEARCH IN TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Vahid Jamali, Helene M. M. Loos, Andrea Buettner, Robert Schober, H. Vincent Poor
Summary: In this paper, a novel concept for engineered molecular communication (MC) systems inspired by animal olfaction is proposed. The focus is on a multi-user scenario where several transmitters aim to communicate with a central receiver. The study introduces an MC system based on orthogonal molecule-receptor pairs to reduce hardware complexity and presents algorithms for molecule allocation and mixture optimization for communication.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Mohamed A. A. Mahmoud, Mahmoud Magdy, Thorsten Tybussek, Johannes Barth, Andrea Buettner
Summary: This study compared wild and farmed rainbow trout using various analytical techniques and found that fish from natural environments had better sensory properties, while farmed fish had higher nutritional value. The differences in quality might be attributed to the use of feed extrudates. Malodor episodes in the fish were linked to specific compounds and their correlations with certain microorganisms and oxygen levels in the water.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Y. Lan Pham, Olaf Holz, Jonathan Beauchamp
Summary: The first and most crucial step in breath research is adequate sampling, which plays a pivotal role in quality assurance of breath datasets. This study investigated emissions and uptake by three interface components, namely a silicon facemask, a reusable 3D-printed mouthpiece adapter, and a pulmonary function test filter compatible with the commercial Respiration Collector for In-Vitro Analysis (ReCIVA) breath sampling device. The filter exhibited the lowest overall emissions compared to the mask or adapter, which both had equivalently high emissions (albeit for different compounds). Treatment of the materials reduced the total VOC emissions by 62% in the mask, 89% in the filter and 99% in the adapter. Uptakes of compounds were lowest for the adapter and most pronounced in the mask. Knowledge of emissions and/or uptake by sampling components is key to reducing the likelihood of erroneous data interpretation, ultimately expediting progress in the field of breath test development.
JOURNAL OF BREATH RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Wayan Wicke, Rebecca C. Felsheim, Lukas Brand, Vahid Jamali, Helene M. Loos, Andrea Buettner, Robert Schober
Summary: In this paper, the problem of pulse shaping in molecular communication is addressed by exploiting and combining the received signal characteristics of particles of different sizes. The mixture of particles of different sizes used for transmission is optimized to support a prescribed detection time period for on-off keying. It is shown that there is a tradeoff between the maximum feasible detection duration and the peak detection value for different particle sizes.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MOLECULAR BIOLOGICAL AND MULTI-SCALE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Patrick Bauer, Andrea Buettner
Summary: In this study, the concentration of sixteen odour active substances in ten black acrylic paint samples was measured using GC-GC-MS. The analysis of the most abundant odour active volatiles indicated that some samples had repelling or unpleasant odours, mainly characterized by aromatic, solvent-like, mothball-like or geranium-like smells. Other samples had fruity/fermented, fruity/apple juice-like, mushroom-like or cocoa-like/earthy odours. The results showed that all paints contain different and specific patterns of odour active substances and volatiles, with potential health effects when these substances are combined.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Y. Lan Pham, Ruyi Yu, Jonathan Beauchamp
Summary: The Peppermint Experiment aims to address the lack of comparability in breath biomarker studies by analyzing the washout profiles of peppermint oil constituents in exhaled breath. The experiment involves measuring samples from a group of volunteers using three different analytical platforms. The results show variable washout profiles within and between individuals, indicating differences in absorption, distribution, and metabolism of the constituents. However, the low variability between instruments suggests that discrepancies in benchmark values reported in the literature are mostly due to biological variability rather than method or platform performance.
JOURNAL OF BREATH RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jonathan D. Beauchamp, Chris A. Mayhew
Summary: This article examines the evidence for the effectiveness of face masks in reducing the transmission of respiratory viruses, specifically SARS-CoV-2, and weighs the benefits against the associated negative impacts. Despite the lack of statistically significant or clear scientific evidence to support mandatory mask wearing, the physical, psychological, and social harms, as well as the environmental impact, need to be considered. The authors argue that the mandatory use of face masks in the general population is unjustifiable and should be abandoned in future pandemic countermeasures policies.
JOURNAL OF BREATH RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yvonne Guckenbiehl, Eva Ortner, Isabell Rothkopf, Ute Schweiggert-Weisz, Gottfried Ziegleder, Andrea Buettner, Susanne Naumann-Gola
Summary: This study investigated the distribution and transition of aroma-active volatiles in dark chocolate and found that the diffusion mechanisms of these compounds depended on their physico-chemical properties and the mass composition of the chocolate. The accumulation of compounds in the fat phase increased with decreasing polarity and increasing fat content. The presence of cocoa particles also affected the concentration of certain compounds in the fat phase.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Marcel W. Debong, Katharina N'Diaye, Daniela Schoeberl, Yue Yin, Roman Lang, Andrea Buettner, Thomas Hofmann, Helene M. Loos
Summary: This study investigates the urinary excretion of dietary odorants and compares it with the excretion into milk. The results show significant transitions of linalool, 1,8-cineole, and eugenol into urine, and differences in excretion patterns between urine and milk. In addition, the study finds that treatment with beta-glucuronidase increases the concentrations of linalool and eugenol in urine.
MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Florian Buchecker, Helene M. Loos, Andrea Buettner
Summary: Automotive coatings, such as cavity preservation, are important for corrosion protection of the vehicle body. However, these coatings may emit odours that can be perceived inside the vehicle. This study analyzed the odorous substances of a wax-based aqueous cavity preservation before and after hardening and found α-lactones and carboxylic acids as the main odorants, primarily originating from oxidation processes of certain components before application. No further odour generation or oxidation was observed during hardening.
