On-line monitoring human breath acetone during exercise and diet by proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry

Aim: This study aims to develop a method for monitoring fat loss by detection of breath acetone. Methods: A new method combining direct breath sampling system and proton transfer reaction MS (PTR-MS) was developed for on-line detection of breath acetone. The breath acetone of 272 volunteers was detected respectively when exercise or diet. Results: Exercises perennially can make the breath acetone increase by 40–130%. Dinner fasting for 1 week can make it increase by 140%. Conclusion: Exercise and diet are two useful methods to lose fat. Determination of breath acetone concentration using the direct breath sampling system-proton transfer reaction MS can help design scheme of exercise and diet for losing weight.