Rapid and accurate determination of trace volatile sulfur compounds in human halitosis by an adaptable active...

Halitosis with the main components of trace volatile sulfur compounds widely affects the quality of life. In this study, an adaptable active sampling system with two sample-collection modes of direct injection and solid-phase microextraction was developed for the rapid and precise determination of trace volatile sulfur compounds in human halitosis coupled with gas chromatography-flame photometric detection. The active sampling system was well designed and produced for efficiently sampling and precisely determining trace volatile targets in halitosis under the optimized sampling and detection conditions. The analytical method established was successfully applied for the determination of trace targets in halitosis. The limits of detection of H₂ S, CH₃ SH, and CH₃ SCH₃ by direct injection were 0.0140-23.0 μg/L with good recoveries ranging from 82.2 to 118% and satisfactory relative standard deviations of 0.4-9.5% (n = 3), respectively. The limit of detections of CH₃ SH and CH₃ SCH₃ by solid-phase microextraction were 2.03 and 0.186 × 10^-3  μg/L with good recoveries ranging from 98.3 to 108% and relative standard deviations of 5.9-9.0% (n = 3). Trace volatile targets in positive real samples could be actually found and quantified by combination of direct injection and solid-phase microextraction. This method was reliable and efficient for the determination of trace volatile sulfur compounds in halitosis.