Tina Chou

In recent years, breath analysis has emerged as a non-invasive and promising tool for disease diagnosis. Hundreds of chemical compounds are encompassed within a breath sample, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in particular can be derived from metabolic processes. Measuring VOCs in breath samples provides a snapshot of the physiological status of bodily functions – the composition and abundance reflecting metabolic changes that could be indicative of disease.

In recent years, breath analysis has emerged as a non-invasive and promising tool for disease diagnosis. Hundreds of chemical compounds are encompassed within a breath sample, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in particular can be derived from metabolic processes. Measuring VOCs in breath samples provides a snapshot of the physiological status of bodily functions – the composition and abundance reflecting metabolic changes that could be indicative of disease.

As you exhale, hundreds of chemical compounds in your breath are released into the air, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) - a large group of carbon-based chemicals that can be derived from metabolic processes in the body. This also encompasses compounds generated by the metabolisms of more than 10,000 microbial species residing within our bodies. Since these compounds essentially reflect the changes in metabolic processes, they provide a snapshot of the physiological state.