Using MEMS-based preconcentrators to identify iron catalyzed lipid oxidation products in breath

This paper introduces, for the first time, divinylbenzene (DVB) packed microfabricated preconcentrators (μPCs) for the analysis of volatile organic compounds in breath. The 7 mm × 7 mm × 0.35 mm microcavity performance was compared to commercial solid phase microextraction (SPME) fibers commonly used in extraction and concentration of analytes in breath. The device successfully concentrated lipid oxidation products in human breath and allowed for gas chromatography analysis that distinguished control breath from treated breath produced after the subject was dosed with iron to stimulate production of lipid oxidation products that are often used as biomarkers for disease. The μPC was superior to SPME fibers incorporating the same adsorbent material and was able to detect standard compounds loaded at nanomolar (nM) concentrations.