Breath Isoprene Sensor Based on Quartz-Enhanced Photoacoustic Spectroscopy

Sensors (Basel). 2025 Nov 3;25(21):6732. doi: 10.3390/s25216732.

Abstract

Isoprene, the most abundant endogenous hydrocarbon in human breath, is a promising biomarker for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. In this paper, we present the detection of isoprene in exhaled breath using the off-beam Quartz-Enhanced Photoacoustic Spectroscopy (QEPAS) method. The sensor employs a homemade quantum cascade laser emitting at 11.03 μm. We use numerical simulations to evaluate the impact of interfering gases (CO2 and H2O) and optimize the laser modulation parameters. The limit of detection reached for 1 s acquisition time is close to 220 parts per billion in volume (ppbv) with a normalized noise equivalent absorption (NNEA) of 1.1×10-8cm-1·W·Hz-1/2. Breath measurements conducted on healthy volunteers reveal a significant increase in isoprene concentration from resting levels (~250-350 ppbv) to elevated levels (~450-650 ppbv) after moderate physical exercise.

Keywords: QEPAS; breath analysis; isoprene; photoacoustics.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biosensing Techniques* / methods
  • Breath Tests / instrumentation
  • Breath Tests / methods
  • Butadienes* / analysis
  • Butadienes* / chemistry
  • Butadienes* / isolation & purification
  • Hemiterpenes* / analysis
  • Hemiterpenes* / chemistry
  • Hemiterpenes* / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pentanes* / analysis
  • Pentanes* / isolation & purification
  • Photoacoustic Techniques* / methods
  • Quartz* / chemistry
  • Spectrum Analysis* / methods

Substances

  • Hemiterpenes
  • isoprene
  • Butadienes
  • Quartz
  • Pentanes