Suitability of different polymer bags for storage of volatile sulphur compounds relevant to breath analysis

Suitability of five polymer sampling containers (Nalophan, transparent Tedlar, black layered Tedlar, Teflon and FlexFoil) for sampling and storage of six relevant to breath analysis volatile sulphur compounds: H2S, MeSH, EtSH, COS, DMS and CS2 was studied using solid phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Investigations were made with respect to the several factors like: recovery, background, influence of light, ageing effect and matrix effects. Additionally, the optimal reusability conditions were established. Findings suggest analyzing the breath VSCs within 6 h after sampling. Flexfoil bags were found to be the best choice for the VSCs storage up to 24 h (recovery about 90% with the exception of DMS). For shorter storing times (6–8 h) transparent Tedlar is a good alternative for Flexfoil (losses up to 10%).