A headspace collection chamber for whole body volatilomics

Abstract

The human body secretes a complex blend of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) via the skin, breath and bodily fluids, the study of which can provide valuable insight into the physiological and metabolic state of an individual. Methods to profile human-derived volatiles typically source VOCs from bodily fluids, exhaled breath or skin of isolated body parts. To facilitate profiling the whole body volatilome, we have engineered a sampling chamber that enables the collection and analysis of headspace from the entire human body. Whole body VOCs were collected from a cohort of 20 humans and analyzed by thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS) to characterize the compounds present in whole body headspace and evaluate chemical differences between individuals. A range of compounds were detected and identified in whole body headspace including ketones, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, alcohols, and aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. Considerable heterogeneity in the chemical composition of whole body odor and the concentration of its constituent compounds was observed across individuals. Amongst the most common and abundant compounds detected in human whole body odor were sulcatone, acetoin, acetic acid and C6-C10 aldehydes. This method facilitates standardized and quantitative analytical profiling of the human whole body volatilome.

A semi-field system for quantifyingAnopheles gambiaeattraction to human scent

“…We next leveraged our previous analyses of human whole body headspace 48 to target the primary chemical constituents of human whole body odor, confirming the identity of 40 known VOCs detected in whole body odor in this semi-field dataset (Fig. S12).…”

“…These results coupled with the hierarchical nature of behavioral preferences shown by An. gambiae to olfactory stimuli of increasing chemical complexity, suggest that at enhanced spatial scales, multi-sensory integration between visual cues, heat, CO2 and other human body odorants 23,46,[53][54][55] The human body emits hundreds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath and skin emissions 64 , and our prior research has demonstrated considerable heterogeneity in the chemical complexity of whole body emissions between humans 48 . This natural variation in the types and abundances of VOCs emitted by the human body has long been hypothesized as a key factor driving mosquito host preference 65 .…”

“…The human body emits hundreds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath and skin emissions 64 , and our prior research has demonstrated considerable heterogeneity in the chemical complexity of whole body emissions between humans 48 . This natural variation in the types and abundances of VOCs emitted by the human body has long been hypothesized as a key factor driving mosquito host preference 65 .…”

“…We also observed that a skin-microbe generated compound acetoin (3-hydroxy-2-butanone) was highly enriched in the most attractive human subject in the six-choice trial. Acetoin is amongst the most abundant of VOCs detected in the human whole body volatilome 48 . The bacteria Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus have been demonstrated to produce acetoin, both of which are abundantly present on human skin 14,73 .…”