Exhaled Breath Analysis (EBA): A Comprehensive Review of Non-Invasive Diagnostic Techniques for Disease Detection

Mortazavi, Sajjad; Makouei, Somayeh; Abbasian, Karim; Danishvar, Sebelan

doi:10.3390/photonics12090848

Open AccessReview

Exhaled Breath Analysis (EBA): A Comprehensive Review of Non-Invasive Diagnostic Techniques for Disease Detection

¹

Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz 51664, Iran

²

College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK

^*

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Photonics 2025, 12(9), 848; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics12090848

Submission received: 10 July 2025 / Revised: 21 August 2025 / Accepted: 22 August 2025 / Published: 25 August 2025

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biophotonics in Medical, Diagnosis, Health Monitoring, and Environmental Applications)

Download

Browse Figures

Versions Notes

Abstract

Exhaled breath analysis (EBA) is an advanced, non-invasive diagnostic technique that utilizes volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to detect and monitor various diseases. This review examines EBA’s historical development and current status as a promising diagnostic tool. It highlights the significant contributions of modern methods such as gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), and electronic noses in enhancing the sensitivity and specificity of EBA. Furthermore, it emphasizes the transformative role of nanotechnology and machine learning in improving the diagnostic accuracy of EBA. Despite challenges such as standardization and environmental factors, which must be addressed for the widespread adoption of this technique, EBA shows excellent potential for early disease detection and personalized medicine. The review also highlights the potential of photonic crystal fiber (PCF) sensors, known for their superior sensitivity, in the field of EBA.

Keywords: exhaled breath analysis; volatile organic compounds; gas chromatography–mass spectrometry; electronic noses; photonic crystal fiber; non-invasive diagnostics; disease biomarkers

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Mortazavi, S.; Makouei, S.; Abbasian, K.; Danishvar, S. Exhaled Breath Analysis (EBA): A Comprehensive Review of Non-Invasive Diagnostic Techniques for Disease Detection. Photonics 2025, 12, 848. https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics12090848

AMA Style

Mortazavi S, Makouei S, Abbasian K, Danishvar S. Exhaled Breath Analysis (EBA): A Comprehensive Review of Non-Invasive Diagnostic Techniques for Disease Detection. Photonics. 2025; 12(9):848. https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics12090848

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mortazavi, Sajjad, Somayeh Makouei, Karim Abbasian, and Sebelan Danishvar. 2025. "Exhaled Breath Analysis (EBA): A Comprehensive Review of Non-Invasive Diagnostic Techniques for Disease Detection" Photonics 12, no. 9: 848. https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics12090848

APA Style

Mortazavi, S., Makouei, S., Abbasian, K., & Danishvar, S. (2025). Exhaled Breath Analysis (EBA): A Comprehensive Review of Non-Invasive Diagnostic Techniques for Disease Detection. Photonics, 12(9), 848. https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics12090848

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Menu

Exhaled Breath Analysis (EBA): A Comprehensive Review of Non-Invasive Diagnostic Techniques for Disease Detection

Abstract

Share and Cite

Article Metrics

Article Access Statistics

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI