A feasibility study on exhaled breath analysis using UV spectroscopy to detect COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Viral infections, including COVID-19, may alter metabolic processes, leading to changes in exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• Detecting specific VOCs in breath offers a non-invasive method for disease diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of using UV absorbance measurements of exhaled breath samples to detect COVID-19.
• To investigate the potential of silicon microreactor technology for preconcentrating and analyzing exhaled carbonyl VOCs.

Main Methods:

• Collected exhaled breath samples from 23 subjects (COVID-19 positive and healthy controls).
• Utilized silicon microreactors for chemoselective preconcentration of carbonyl VOCs.
• Performed methanol elution and subsequent UV absorbance analysis of the collected samples.
• Analyzed absorbance spectra in the 235 nm to 305 nm wavelength range.

Main Results:

• Statistically significant differences in UV absorbance values were observed between healthy and symptomatic COVID-19 positive subjects.
• The observed differences were primarily within the 235 nm to 305 nm wavelength range.
• The study supports the hypothesis that viral infection increases exhaled carbonyls.

Conclusions:

• UV absorbance measurements on breath samples analyzed via silicon microreactors show promise for non-invasive COVID-19 detection.
• Further research is warranted to validate these findings and explore potential confounding factors like age.