Passive Flux Samplers Research Articles

Deodorising Garlic Body Odour by Ingesting Natural Food Additives Containing Phenolic Compounds and Polyphenol Oxidase

Garlic consumption is a well-known cause of unpleasant breath and body odour, with volatile organosulfur compounds, such as diallyl disulfide (DADS) and allyl methyl sulfide (AMS) responsible for the characteristic odour. Certain foods that are rich in polyphenols (PPs) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) are known to deodorise garlic breath. However, no study into garlic body odour has been reported owing to the very low amounts of emitted volatile organosulfur compounds. Herein, we aimed to demonstrate the effects of ingesting natural food additives rich in both PPs and PPO on the emissions of skin-derived DADS and AMS using a passive flux sampler in conjunction with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Three healthy male subjects were subjected to garlic-consumption testing, with all subjects commonly observed to exhibit remarkably higher dermal DADS- and AMS-emission fluxes after consuming 45 g of cooked garlic, which then gradually decreased toward their initial baseline levels. In comparison, remarkably lower emission fluxes of both organosulfur compounds were observed after consuming a natural food additive following garlic consumption in a dose-dependent manner. The optimal amount of ingested natural food additive required to reduce garlic body odour was found to be 1–2 g. Considering the metabolic pathway associated with garlic-derived sulfur compounds and elimination reactions involving PPs and PPO, allyl mercaptan is likely to be a key substance involved in reducing garlic body odour through the ingestion of natural food additives.

Volatile organic compounds from human skin as biomarkers of menstruation phase and severity of premenstrual syndrome: An exploratory pilot study

Background and aimNumerous women of reproductive age experience physical or mental discomfort during their natural menstrual cycle due to paramenstrual symptoms, such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). To date, there is no established biomarker for the diagnosis of PMS. This study investigated the relationship between skin gas composition and menstruation cycles, and evaluated the possibility of skin gas composition as a biomarker of paramenstrual symptoms. MethodsWe conducted an exploratory pilot study. Healthy Japanese women (aged 20–29 years) underwent blood and skin gas analyses on 1 day corresponding to menstruation, preovulatory, middle luteal, and late luteal phases. Skin gas was collected from the cubital fossa and armpit using a Passive Flux Sampler; samples were analyzed for 65 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Non-parametric statistical analysis was performed to identify VOCs related to the menstrual cycle, levels of female hormones, and severity of PMS. ResultsFourteen women participated; of those, 12 completed the study. Regarding the relationship with the menstrual cycles, seven and four VOCs were significantly and marginally changed, respectively, at the cubital fossa during menstruation. Of those 11 compounds, 10 were also correlated with the levels of serum female hormones. At the armpit, five and three compounds were significantly and marginally changed, respectively, during menstruation. Of those eight compounds, five were also correlated with the levels of serum female hormones. In the study of PMS severity, analysis of the changes in VOCs suggested that ketones and fatty acids are increased during menstruation in the severe PMS group versus the mild PMS group. ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that certain VOCs emitted in skin gas related to the menstrual cycle, levels of female hormones, and severity of PMS. These findings may advance the metabolic understanding and development of diagnostic biomarkers for menstruation-related symptoms.

Evaluation of passive flux samplers with different orifice sizes to measure ammonia volatilization losses

AbstractA common passive sampler used to measure NH3 volatilization losses in field studies has a nozzle with a 1‐mm, round orifice that reduces air flow to increase NH3 adsorption. This reduction in air flow, measured by the orifice's K value (0–1), implies a reduction in the amount of NH3 entering the sampler per unit of time, which may require a longer exposure to accumulate measurable quantities of NH3. Increasing the diameter of the orifice would increase the NH3 entering the sampler and possibly allow shorter exposure times, but it may also lead to increased NH3 bypass. The objectives of this research were to (1) determine the effect of wind speed on NH3 bypass in samplers with 1‐ or 2‐mm orifices, (2) determine the reduction in air speed in samplers with 1‐ or 2‐mm orifices by determining their K values, and (3) compare field NH3 volatilization losses measured with 1‐ and 2‐mm orifices. A laboratory study with wind speeds ranging from 0.6 to 10 m·s−1 showed that both orifice sizes had NH3 bypass at low and high wind speeds. Results from wind tunnel studies determined that flow was reduced to 63% (K = 0.63) in 1‐mm orifices and to 74% (K = 0.74) in 2‐mm orifices. Field studies indicated that 1‐mm orifices may measure greater NH3 volatilization losses than 2‐mm orifices at average low wind speeds when maximum wind speeds <10 m·s−1, but may measure equal or lower losses than 2‐mm orifices when several days occur with maximum wind speeds >10 m·s−1.

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate transfer from polyvinyl chloride sheet to several kinds of particles

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) transfer from a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheet to 9 kinds of particles, namely, polyethylene particles (1–10, 45–53, 90–106 μm), soda lime glass particles (1–38, 45–53, 90–106 μm), black forest soil, carbon black, and cotton linter, for the particle weights of 0.3, 1, 3, and 12 mg/cm2, were determined for 1, 3, 7, and 14 days using a passive flux sampler (PFS), as well as standard dust. Transfer amounts to small polyethylene particles (1–10 μm), black forest soil, and carbon black were large (8.5, 16, and 48 μg/mg-particle, respectively, for 0.3 mg/cm2 for 14 days) and were similar to standard house dust (35 μg/mg-particle). On the other hand, transfer amount to large polyethylene particles (0.056–0.12 μg/mg-particle), soda lime glass (0.18–0.31 μg/mg-particle), and cotton linter (0.42–0.78 μg/mg-particle) were much lower. The DEHP transfer amount to the particles was proportional to the surface area of the particles, but not associated with the organic content. The DEHP transfer amount per surface area to small polyethylene particles was larger than that of other particles, suggesting the contribution of absorption into the polyethylene particle. However, for the larger polyethylene particles with different manufacturing process that may have different crystallinity, the contribution of absorption was small. The amount of DEHP transferred to soda lime glass did not differ from 1 to 14 days, suggesting that an adsorption equilibrium was reached after 1 day. The estimated value of particle/gas partition coefficients of DEHP, Kpg, of small polyethylene, black forest soil and carbon black were much higher (3.6, 7.1, and 18 m3/mg, respectively) than those of large polyethylene and soda lime glass particles (0.028–0.11 m3/mg).

Human skin gas profile of individuals with the people allergic to me phenomenon

Recent studies have shown that some people claim that their skin gases provoke allergy-like reactions in people in their near vicinity. Such a phenomenon or symptom is called ‘people allergic to me (PATM)’. Although numerous people suffer from PATM, the actual conditions are unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of human skin profiles in patients with PATM by measuring the dermal emission fluxes of 75 skin gases using passive flux sampler and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. We found common features in the human skin gas profiles of 20 subjects with PATM, with a significant difference from those of 24 non-PATM subjects: greater emissions of petrochemicals, organosulfur compounds, and some aldehydes and lower emissions of aroma compounds and others. The ratio of toluene to benzaldehyde is considered a vital sign that suggests the fundamental of PATM. These findings indicate that PATM is a medically unexplained phenomenon or symptom worthy of further research, which requires an interdisciplinary approach.

Influence of Ingestion of Lactulose on γ-Lactones Emanating from Human Skin Surface

Lactulose is known to grow health-promoting bacteria, with an increase in the production of beneficial metabolites, such as lactic acid and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the colon. Ingestion of lactulose powder at a food dosage level is known to reduce the dermal emanation of ammonia, a typical human skin gas which potentially affects body odour. However, no study has reported the effect of lactulose on human skin gases other than ammonia. In this study, the influence of lactulose ingestion on the dermal emissions of γ-lactones, volatile cyclic esters with sweet smells, was investigated in healthy subjects. Healthy participants ingested the lactulose powder with a food dosage of 4 g d−1 once a day for 2 weeks. γ-lactones emanating from the skin surface were collected from each participant’s forearm by using a passive flux sampler, and six kinds of γ-lactones, namely, γ-hexalactone (C6), γ-heptalactone (C7), γ-octalactone (C8), γ-nonalactone (C9), γ-decalactone (C10), and γ-undecalactone (C11), were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Quantification of bifidobacteria in faeces collected before and after ingestion of lactulose for 2 weeks was carried out by using real-time PCR. The results showed a significant increase in the dermal emission fluxes of sweet-smelling C10 and C11 lactones as the number of bifidobacteria increased in the faeces, presumably mediated by SCFAs produced in the colon.

Development of a wristband-type wearable device for the colorimetric detection of ammonia emanating from the human skin surface

Human skin gas is the term used to describe gas emanating from the human skin surface. Ammonia, one such gas, has a pungent odor affecting body odor. As ammonia’s dermal emission increases with physical load and/or psychological stress, the resulting body odor is called “fatigue odor.” Previously, human skin gases were collected via direct contact or headspace sampling, using a homemade sampling probe or bag and passive flux sampler. We developed a wristband-type wearable device for rapid, on-site detection of dermal ammonia based on headspace passive sampling coupled with Alizarin red as a pH indicator. Color change was measured with a colorimetric indicator tested in an exposure chamber and calibrated using dermal emission flux measured with a passive flux sampler. The indicator was developed as a tablet-like device comprising a polyethylene terephthalate body with a transparent window, detection sheet, diffuser, and disk with concentric spaces. The detection sheet was prepared by pipetting 50 μL 0.1 % Alizarin red–1 % glycerol into a methanol solution onto a cellulose filter paper and drying. The colorimetric indicator was placed on the skin surface using a wristband. For quantitative evaluation, the color-change amount was evaluated using color difference (ΔE*ab), which was calculated from L*, a*, and b* measured using a spectrophotometer. The colorimetric response to ammonia on the colorimetric indicator was evaluated by comparison with the conventional passive flux sampler. Good correlations were obtained between the color change amounts and those collected with the passive flux sampler. To simulate living human-skin conditions, the influence of temperature and humidity was also tested, and the effect on the passive indicator was clarified. Compared to conventional dermal ammonia-measuring methods, this newly developed passive indicator was more user-friendly because the results were obtained on-site without external evaluation. The passive indicator was also found to be an effective and simplified instrument for dermal ammonia measurements.

Towards robust on-site ammonia emission measuring techniques based on inverse dispersion modeling

Ammonia is recognized as one of the major atmospheric pollutants affecting air and ecosystem quality. The application of N fertilizers is a major source of NH3 emissions. It is necessary to develop simple, accurate and low cost measurement techniques to obtain representative data for a wide range of regions and agricultural practices. This information would improve national inventories and support decision-making processes regarding strategies for NH3 emission abatement. Measurement techniques can be complex, adjusted to specific conditions, labor-intensive and costly. This work analyses different methods aimed at reaching a balance between the accuracy and precision required for measurements and their complexity. Three techniques were tested under: semiopen passive chambers (SOCs) and an inverse dispersion model (IDM) combined with two different NH3 air concentration measuring techniques: ALPHA® passive samplers and acid bubblers. Different setups were evaluated testing different heights over the emitting surface. These techniques were assessed using micrometeorological mass balance integrated horizontal flux (IHF) with passive flux samplers as a reference method. The SOC results showed a close linear relationship with the IHF results (R2=0.784, p<0.01), although emissions after 16 days were 10.6% higher. The bLS IDM with acid bubblers showed promising results, although they were labor-demanding and required a power supply. The IDM with ALPHA® samplers placed at a 1.25-m height was demonstrated to embrace precision and close agreement with the IHF observations in our experimental conditions (R2=0.768, p<0.01; no difference from line 1:1; mean bias: 0.041 kg N ha−1h−1 and rRMSE: 46.1%). However, these data require special attention for periods of drastically changing weather, when the NH3 fluxes determined with air concentration samplers moved away from the overall emission pattern. Longer sampling intervals and the assumption of neutral atmospheric conditions in IDM may decrease costs, simplify the procedure and provide a cost-efficient alternative to the IHF method.

Intake of New Zealand Blackcurrant Powder Affects Skin-Borne Volatile Organic Compounds in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Skin volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can cause body odor or reveal human disease and may result from lipid peroxidation or activity by skin bacteria. We examined the effect of intake of New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) powder for 77 skin VOCs in middle-aged and older adults in a crossover design. Fourteen adults (nine males, age: 55 ± 5 yrs) consumed NZBC powder for 7 days (6 g·day−1 with 138.6 mg anthocyanins). Two hours after the last intake, a passive flux sampler with trapping media was applied in the base of the neck for 1 hour. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used for media analysis. Habitual anthocyanin intake was quantified using a food frequency questionnaire. Compared to control (i.e., no intake of NZBC powder), emission of six skin VOCs (i.e., 2-nonenal, acetic acid, 2-hexanone, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, benzaldehyde, allyl methyl sulfide) were lower by more than 25%. Increases were observed for γ-octanolactone (+184%) and γ-decanolactone (+89%). A trend for a decrease for isovaleraldehyde, hexanal, and 2-pentanone, and an increase for heptanoic acid and γ-nonanolactone was observed. There was a significant correlation with daily habitual dietary anthocyanin intake for control values of hexanal and percentage change of γ-octanolactone. NZBC powder can change emanation of some VOCs in human skin. Analysis of skin VOCs following specific polyphenol intake may address the impact of dietary components to affect internal metabolic processes, body odor, and health.

Development of formaldehyde flux sampler using a commercial DNPH cartridge

Building materials and consumer products are main sources of formaldehyde emitted in non-smoking environments. Identifying major emitters in existing buildings is difficult since the emission factors (EFs) are typically determined in a chamber test that is not suitable for on-site measurement. In this study, a new passive flux sampler (PFS) was developed for on-site measurement of formaldehyde EFs from building materials. The PFS is non-invasive and suitable for a long-term test (4–7 days) that is based on a commercially available 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) cartridge.Five designs of PFS with different diffusion lengths and diameters were tested with 8 composite wood products (CWPs). The PFS with a diffusion length of 20 mm and a diameter of 10 mm (PFS-D1) was shown to have the EFs comparable to those from conventional chamber tests. Laboratory tests showed that the PFS-D1 has acceptable variability (<21% of relative standard deviation) and sensitivity that can collect mass above detection limit for 4–7 day sampling. The PFS-D1 was used to determine EFs of 5–9 CWPs in a research house at 3 and 8 months after construction. The EFs were used to predict the indoor formaldehyde concentration, which led to good agreement (±25%) with the measured concentration. The major emitters were determined to be CWPs such as floor and door, indicating that PFS-D1 is a useful tool to identify and prioritize formaldehyde sources in existing buildings.

Volatile and semivolatile organic compound emissions from polymers used in commercial products during thermal degradation.

Emissions of volatile and semivolatile organic compounds from various kinds of polymer sheets during thermal degradation process were determined by the passive flux sampling method. The polymer sheets used were commercial products made of: polyethylene (PE), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polypropylene (PP), polyacetal (POM), polycarbonate (PC)), and polymer sheet samples: poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS) and four types of poly vinyl chloride (PVC) with different contents of additives; (bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP)), and triphenylphosphine (TPP)). The emission fluxes from the polymer sheets were measured for up to 30 days stored under a constant temperature (25–75 °C). Emission of various kinds of chemicals were observed from PVC sheets including and products of polymer degradation, while emission of hydrocarbons were dominant from PE, PP and EVA, and the emission of an additive (DEP) only was observed from PMMA, PET, POM and PC. The TVOC (total VOC) emission rates from PVC sheets with DEHP and TPP (soft PVCs) were in the range of 30–120 mg m−2 h−1 at 50 °C, which were much higher than the TVOC emission rates from other polymers. The emission rates for these chemicals for the same sampling period increased dramatically as the temperature increased. The temperature-dependences of the emission rates from the soft PVC sheet for a given sampling period could be expressed using an Arrhenius-type equation, and the apparent emission activation energy EA, correlated well with the enthalpy of vaporization ΔHVAP by the following empirical equation.EA=2.27ΔHvap−115We also found that the emission rates of chemicals changed with time with different changing characters, and the activation energy decreased with the progress of the polymer degradation.

Measurement of diallyl disulfide and allyl methyl sulfide emanating from human skin surface and influence of ingestion of grilled garlic

Diallyl disulfide (DADS) and allyl methyl sulfide (AMS) have been known as a metabolic product of sulfur-containing foods, typically garlic. The odour of such organosulfur compounds following garlic ingestion is often considered as an unpleasant element. Although previous studies have identified the DADS and AMS associated with garlic breath, no study has been reported on the determination of both compounds emanating from human skin surface. This study aimed to demonstrate the effect of garlic ingestion on the dermal emissions of DADS and AMS using a passive flux sampler coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Firstly, baseline levels were investigated for 30 healthy volunteers in their daily life. The results of 1 h-sampling at the forearm showed the emission fluxes of both compounds followed the lognormal distribution with a geometric mean of 0.18 ng cm−2 h−1 for DADS and 0.22 ng cm−2 h−1 for AMS. Subsequently, the garlic ingestion tests were conducted for selected volunteers. The emission flux of DADS increased just after grilled garlic ingestion and decreased gradually thereafter. In contrast, the dermal emission flux of AMS reached a peak at 30 min after ingestion, and then gradually decreased. This peak shift suggests AMS is relatively latent in the skin organs.

Measurement of Toluene Emanating from the Surface of Human Skin in Relation to Toluene Inhalation

Background: Human skin gas is known as traces of gas emanating from the human skin. Exogenous chemicals such as toluene may be released from the skin surface when absorbed into the body. However, dermal emission of toluene has not been fully determined in relation to inhalation exposure. Objectives: This study aimed to characterise the mechanism of toluene emanating from the skin surface of healthy volunteers in relation to inhalation exposure. Methods: Dermal emission flux of toluene was determined in healthy volunteers employing a passive flux sampler and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: The dermal emission of toluene occurs when toluene is absorbed by inhalation. The half-life obtained from the decrease in the dermal emission flux suggested the time-course of the dermal emission corresponds to that of the blood concentration. The whole-body emission rate of toluene was estimated to be 9.9% of the uptake rate by inhalation exposure. This suggests the toluene is excreted approximately 80% through urine, 7% - 14% by exhaled air, and 10% from the skin surface. Conclusions: This demonstrates that dermal emission is a newly discovered route of excretion of toluene from the human body and that dermal toluene might indicate the individual biological susceptibility to inhalation exposure to toluene.

Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) emission to indoor air and transfer to house dust from a PVC sheet

Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) emission to air and transfer to house dust from a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheet were quantified for periods of 1, 3, 7, and 14 days using a passive flux sampler (PFS). Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) test powders class 15 was used as the test house dust in settled weights of 0.3, 1, 3, and 12 mg/cm2. DEHP concentrations in the surface air on the PVC sheet were estimated as 2.6–3.3 μg/m3 according to an emission test without dust. Although DEHP transfer rates from the PVC sheet to the house dust decreased over time, the adsorption did not reach an equilibrium state within 14 days. The transfer rates per dust weight increased with decreasing dust weight on the PVC sheet. The transfer rates per PVC sheet area increased nonlinearly with increasing dust weight on the PVC sheet. DEHP emission from a PVC sheet to air was one to three orders of magnitude lower than DEHP transfer from a PVC sheet to dust. In the case of 0.3 mg/cm2 of settled house dust for 7 days, the emission rates to air were 35, 15, 9.1, 6.4, and 3.8 μg/m2/h for a diffusion distance of 0.90, 1.85, 2.75, 3.80, and 5.75 mm, respectively, and the transfer rate to dust was 5.3 × 102 μg/m2/h (no difference among the five diffusion distances). Compared to residents who clean the floor every day, exposure to DEHP in house dust could be 10 times higher for residents who clean the floor once every two weeks based on the time-weighted average concentrations in house dust.

Emission characteristics of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) from building materials determined using a passive flux sampler and micro-chamber.

Emission rates of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) from building materials, such as vinyl floorings and wall paper, determined using a passive flux sampler (PFS) were constant over the week-long measurement period. Emission rates for vinyl floorings and wallpaper were linearly correlated to the inverse of diffusion distance, which corresponds to the internal depth of the PFS. Surface-air DEHP concentrations (y0) were estimated as 1.3–2.3 μg/m3 for materials having a boundary layer molecular diffusion rate-limiting step. The partition coefficient (Kmaterial-air) was estimated as 3.3–7.5 × 1010 for these materials. Additionally, emission rates of DEHP from same building materials determined using a micro-chamber were 4.5–6.1 μg/m2/h. Mass transfer coefficients in the micro-chamber (hm) were estimated by comparing the results using the PFS and micro-chamber, and these were 1.1–1.2 × 10−3 and 8.1 × 10−4 m/s for vinyl floorings (smooth surface) and wallpaper (rough surface), respectively. The thickness of boundary layer on the surface of building materials in the micro-chamber were estimated to be 2.5–2.6 and 3.7 mm for vinyl floorings and wallpaper, respectively.

Evidence of indoor sinks for formaldehyde through the field measurements using passive flux sampler and mass balance

A measurement campaign was conducted in 24 student rooms where formaldehyde emissions from all the indoor surfaces were measured using a passive flux sampler (PFS) parallel to monitoring of indoor and outdoor concentrations as well as the assessment of air exchange rate. Two mass balance models were used to predict indoor concentrations basing on input data recorded during this measurement campaign. The first model only takes into account the total emission from the indoor sources and the incoming and outgoing flows of compound brought by the air exchange rate. The second model added to these terms a further component related to the overall rate of removal processes (or "indoor sinks") which was assessed in these same rooms during a previous field test campaign. A good agreement was found between the concentrations calculated by the model with the component relative to indoor removal processes and the measured concentrations. On the other hand, the predicted concentrations with a first model tend to highly overestimate the measured concentrations by a factor 1.9 on average. Apportionment of formaldehyde inputs and losses in the rooms was estimated and discussed. The results highlighted that indoor removal processes are a component to consider for formaldehyde budget indoors.

Effect of New Zealand Blackcurrant Powder on Skin Emission of Volatile Organic Compounds in Middle Aged and Older Adults (P06-092-19)

ObjectivesVolatile organic compounds (i.e., VOCs) emanating from the human skin are used to detect disease biomarkers and causes of body odour. Seven-day intake of New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) powder reduced skin emission of 2-nonenal, a lipid peroxidation compound responsible for body odour in older adults. Anthocyanin-induced bioavailability of plasma metabolites by intake of NZBC may affect the production of VOCs. In the present study, we examined the effect of 7-day NZBC powder intake on the skin emission of 76 VOCs. MethodsFourteen Caucasian adults (9 males, age: 55 ± 5 yr) volunteered. Participants consumed NZBC powder for 7 days (Sujon Berries, NZ, 6 g·day-1 with 138.6 mg anthocyanin, 49 mg Vit C, 5.2 g of carbohydrates and total phenolic content of 271.6 mg per serving). Two hours after the last intake, a passive flux sampler with trapping media (MonoTrap®, DCC18, GL Science, Japan) was applied to the skin in the base of the neck for one hour, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used for media analysis (Kimura et al., 2016). Participants did not use hot water or soap for 48 hrs on the skin sampling location. Dietary anthocyanin intake was quantified using a food frequency questionnaire. Data were analysed with paired, two-tailed t-test and effect size (Cohen’s d) was calculated. ResultsDecreases in skin emission were observed for acetic acid (–57%, P = 0.006, d = –1.26), 2-hexanone (–47%, P = 0.031, d = –0.86), 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (–93%, P = 0.005, d = –1.23), benzaldehyde (–86%, P = 0.004, d = –0.96), allyl methyl sulfide (–35%, P = 0.015, d = –0.98) and increases for γ-octanolactone (+65%, P = 0.023, d = 0.98) and γ-decanolactone (+47%, P = 0.015, d = 1.11). For these VOCs, there was no significant correlation between daily anthocyanin intake and baseline values. A trend for a decrease was observed for isovaleraldehyde, hexanal and 2-pentanone and an increase for heptanoic acid and γ-nonanolactone, all 0.05 < P < 0.1. ConclusionsAnthocyanin-containing NZBC powder can change the emanation of some volatile organic compounds in human skin. Analysis of volatile organic compounds in human skin following nutritional interventions can address the impact of dietary components to affect human body odour and health. Funding SourcesSujon Berries (Nelson, NZ) provided supplements. Support for conference attendance was obtained from Blackcurrant New Zealand Inc. (NZ).

Parameters determining the performance of passive flux samplers proposed as a tool to estimate N2O emissions: evaluation at farm level and perspectives.

The passive flux sampling is an economic and easy way to estimate gas emissions from agriculture sources. In the last decade, specific passive flux samplers (PFSs) have been developed to estimate nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from agriculture sources. Packed with silica gel and zeolite 5A, the PFSs were placed facing the emission source direction close to the ventilation shafts. For validation, air samples were taken at different sampling time during 3days on two commercial sites. The adsorbed mass of N2O in PFSs was recovered by thermal desorption in the laboratory. Results indicated that the mass of N2O adsorbed in PFSs was from 1.5 to 5.5μg. A specific adsorption pattern was observed for each sampling. In farm 1, the mass of N2O adsorbed in the PFSs presented a linear behavior as a function of sampling time, and the most determined coefficient values were higher than 0.80. In farm 2, in addition to the sampling time, the N2O concentration and the air flow rate presented an effect on the mass adsorbed in the PFSs. On the other hand, comparison of PFSs versus other techniques indicated that PFSs offer different advantages. However, the selectivity and capacity of the adsorbent bed used need to be improved to enhance the use of PFSs proposed as a tool to estimate N2O emissions. Graphical Abstract PFSs enabled N2O sampling that followed a linear behavior as a function of sampling time. Sampling time, [N2O], and air flow rate determined the mass of N2O collected in PFSs.

An Assessment of Low-Cost Techniques to Measure Ammonia Emission from Multi-Plots: A Case Study with Urea Fertilization

Ammonia (NH3) emission from agriculture is an environmental threat and a loss of nitrogen for crop production. Mineral fertilizers and manure are significant sources of NH3; therefore, abatement technologies have been introduced to mitigate these emissions. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that low-cost measuring techniques are suitable to assess NH3 emissions in smaller plots, appropriate to test different managements. Two experiments were established to quantify NH3 emissions from urea application in a multi-plot design with radii of 5 (R5) and 20 m (R20). Field was bare soil partially surrounded by shelterbelts. Measurement techniques included passive flux samplers (Leuning), and passive concentration samplers (ALPHA) coupled to WindTrax dispersion model. NH3 emission from R5 was consistent with the emission from R20 when the surface-to-atmosphere exchange was not affected by shelterbelts, and wind speed near surface was greater than 1 m s−1. Both measurement methods gave unreliable NH3 quantification in combination with wind speed lower than 1 m s−1 and low emission strength. Cumulative emission over 60 h was 2% of the supplied N from the plots not affected by the shelterbelt, and 1% from the plots affected by shelterbelts, indicating that these structures can significantly reduce NH3 emissions.

Detection of tobacco smoke emanating from human skin surface of smokers employing passive flux sampler – GCMS system

Cigarette smoking is a significant risk factor for higher incidences of numerous adverse health consequences. Related health disorders are also found in non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS). To investigate the influence of cigarette smoking and exposure to SHS on the composition of human skin gas, a trace biogas emanating from human skin, dermal emissions of volatile compounds were semi-quantitatively measured for volunteers who smoke a cigarette and those exposed to SHS. This was performed using a passive flux sampler (PFS) coupled with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS). Numerous chemicals were detected, including acetaldehyde, toluene, 3-methyl furan (3-MF), 2,5-dimethyl furan (2,5-DMF), 3-ethenyl pyridine (3-EP), and nicotine, in the samples collected from the smokers after a smoking event, and a remarkable increase in the amount of chemicals collected was observed just after smoking. These chemicals were also found in the samples collected from volunteers exposed to SHS. Assessment of current smoking status is important for managing the negative effects of active and passive smoking, and for the development of public health policy. The tobacco specific chemicals such as 3-MF, 2,5-DMF, 3-EP, and nicotine, emanating from human skin surfaces, represent a potential non-invasive biomarker for monitoring current smoking status of active and passive smokers after establishing a more quantitative procedure.