A new monitor with a zinc-oxide thin film semiconductor sensor for the measurement of volatile sulfur compounds in mouth air
The purpose of the study was to compare aVSC monitor (volatile sulfur compounds) with other means of measurement and report its possible applicability to the diagnosis of halitosis.
Mouth air samples collected in Teflon bags from 21 volunteers were analyzed by three methods: monitor analysis, gas chromatography, and organoleptic examination by three judges. The efficiency of the VSC monitor used in the present study was tested for its sensitivity to standard hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulfide, and other volatile organic compounds (VOC) such as ethyl alcohol, acetaldehyde, and acetone, with or without a filter. Gas chromatography was carried out using a C-7A gas chromatograph equipped with a flame photometric detector. Organoleptic examination was carried out by nasal sniffing.
The readings of the monitor were correlated with the values of the total volatile sulfur compounds measured by gas chromatography (r = 0.75, p < 0.01) and also with the organoleptic scores given by the judges (r = 0.76, p < 0.01).The organoleptic scores were correlated with the gas chromatographic values (r = 0.71, p < 0.01).
These results suggest that this new monitor with a zinc-oxide thin film semiconductor sensor may be used for the diagnosis of halitosis. Its small size and simplicity of handling may enable its use for routine chair-side study and field surveys of halitosis. [M.R.]
Shimura, M., Y. Yasuno, M. Iwakura, Y. Shimada, S. Sakai, K. Suzuki, and S. Sakamoto, J Periodont, 67:396, 1996