Poster Audio: Breath-Based Monitoring of Microbiome Metabolic Responses Before and After Ingestion of Nutrients

An excessive production of metabolites produced by the gastrointestinal microbiome may exacerbate certain diseases. For example, gut ethanol production has been associated with metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Many of these metabolites are volatile organic compounds and can be measured non-invasively in exhaled breath allowing for at-home testing. We have developed the OMED Health Breath Analyzer for at-home testing of hydrogen and methane to measure these clinically validated biomarkers of gut microbiome activity longitudinally, anytime, anywhere. In our study, we investigated the feasibility of quantifying these metabolites in breath with and without substrate intervention.

Fermentation products associated with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and gut discomfort showed a spike in breath after substrate administration such as ethanol, acetoin, and propanoic acid.

We recently presented this work at the United European Gastroenterology (UEG) conference, and you can view our presentation below. If you are interested in finding out more, or meeting us at a conference, please get in touch.