Halitosis is a condition in which someone ’ s exhaled breath smells bad. The bad smelling compounds in breath are categorized into four groups: Sulfides, Amines, Carboxylics and Alcoholics. This study utilized ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) to identify the bad smelling substances in breath and mouth. As IMS response to amines is excellent, a group of amines including ammonia, trimethylamin, indole and skatole were examined. The ion mobility spectra of the substances were recorded and their detection limits were obtained to be 1.5, 16.0, 1.6 18.8 v for ammonia, trimethylamin, indole and skatole, respectively. The analyses was performed by direct introduction of gaseous sample into the IMS without preconcentration. The level of ammonia in breath of healthy people was examined. The results revealed that its concentration for various people is different and for individuals it varies in different times. After eating, the level of ammonia in breath increases. This study shows that IMS can easily, quickly and successfully measure ammonia in breath.
