Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 18, 2025

Breath Collection from Children for Disease Biomarker Discovery
Published on: February 14, 2019
Breath Biomarkers in Diagnostic Applications
Y Lan Pham1,2, Jonathan Beauchamp1
1Department of Sensory Analytics and Technologies, Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV, Giggenhauser Straße 35, 85354 Freising, Germany.
Abstract:
The detection of chemical compounds in exhaled human breath presents an opportunity to determine physiological state, diagnose disease or assess environmental exposure. Recent advancements in metabolomics research have led to improved capabilities to explore human metabolic profiles in breath. Despite some notable challenges in sampling and analysis, exhaled breath represents a desirable medium for metabolomics applications, foremost due to its non-invasive, convenient and practically limitless availability. Several breath-based tests that target either endogenous or exogenous gas-phase compounds are currently established and are in practical and/or clinical use. This review outlines the concept of breath analysis in the context of these unique tests and their applications. The respective breath biomarkers targeted in each test are discussed in relation to their physiological production in the human body and the development and implementation of the associated tests. The paper concludes with a brief insight into prospective tests and an outlook of the future direction of breath research.
Related Concept Videos
Serum Laboratory Studies, Stool Test, Breath Test
Assessment of Diffusion and Perfusion
The Role of Diffusion in Respiration
Diffusion is the process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. In the respiratory system, this...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection
Chest Configuration
The chest configuration...
Assessment of Respiration
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like...

