Ademanalyse

Ademanalyse, commonly translated as breath analysis in English, is a field that studies exhaled breath to identify chemical constituents that reflect metabolic processes, physiological status, and environmental exposures. The term appears in Dutch and German-speaking contexts, where researchers use ademanalyse to describe noninvasive assessment techniques based on volatile compounds in exhaled air. The approach spans analytical chemistry, clinical diagnostics, and toxicology, with a growing emphasis on rapid, bedside or point-of-care applications.

Methods and instrumentation used in ademanalyse include gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), various forms of mass spectrometry such as SIFT-MS and PTR-MS, infrared spectroscopy, laser-based techniques, and electronic nose systems. Sampling typically relies on standardized collection of end-tidal or alveolar breath to capture representative concentrations, often under controlled conditions to reduce variability. Calibration, quality control, and reproducibility are central concerns, given the influence of recent meals, hydration, and ambient air.

Applications of ademanalyse cover clinical, occupational, and sports contexts. In medicine, breath biomarkers are explored for diabetes (acetone), asthma (exhaled nitric oxide), infectious diseases, and cancer screening, while breath alcohol testing remains a common regulatory tool. In occupational health, breath analysis can monitor exposure to solvents and other volatile pollutants. In sports and wellness, breath compounds may inform metabolic state and training adaptation. Limitations include interindividual variability, dietary and microbiome influences, environmental factors, and the need for validated, standardized biomarkers before routine clinical adoption.

Future directions emphasize noninvasive, rapid point-of-care devices, comprehensive breathomics datasets, and advanced data analytics to improve specificity and interpretability, alongside formal guidelines for collection, analysis, and reporting.