Endogenous and microbial volatile organic compounds in cutaneous health and disease

Abstract

Human skin is a region of high metabolic activity where a rich variety of biomarkers are secreted from the stratum corneum. The skin is a constant source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) derived from skin glands and resident microbiota. Skin VOCs contain the footprints of cellular activities and thus offer unique insights into the intricate processes of cutaneous physiology. This review examines the growing body of research on skin VOC markers as they relate to skin physiology, whereby variations in skin-intrinsic and microbial metabolic processes give rise to unique volatile profiles. Emerging evidence for volatile biomarkers linked to skin perturbations and skin cancer are examined. Microbial-derived VOCs are also investigated as prospective diagnostic markers, and their potential to shape the composition of the local skin microbiota, and consequently cutaneous health, is considered. Finally, a brief outlook on emerging analytical challenges and opportunities for skin VOC-based research and diagnostics is presented.

Indoor green wall affects health-associated commensal skin microbiota and enhances immune regulation: a randomized trial among urban office workers

“…However, we cannot separate the role of the introduced microbiome from the green walls from the consequences of the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOC) by the green walls; the green walls used in this study remove VOCs 46 . Since VOCs are known to affect the composition and processes of bacterial communities in the environment 63 , 64 and on skin 65 , the green walls could have an indirect impact to indoor and skin bacterial communities. VOCs include pollutants released from materials used in interior decoration 46 but they also include compounds emitted by organisms which may use them for interaction 65 .…”

Biosensors and Chemical Sensors for Healthcare Monitoring: A Review

“…Skin gas is more accessible to collect than exhaled air. Additionally, because the gas collection requires less restriction, the biological condition of a subject can be evaluated without significantly burdening the patient [81][82][83]. The concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in skin gas are extremely low.…”

Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds Using Surface Acoustic Wave Sensor Based on Nanoparticles Incorporated in Polymer

“…Human health, a subject of great interest to our society today, depends to a large extent on the quality of the environment. An environment with a polluted atmosphere leads to the occurrence of lung diseases, skin diseases, and other more dangerous diseases such as cancer and diabetes [1,2]. By monitoring air quality, a number of these diseases can be prevented.…”