Validating eNose Measurement of Daily Fiber Intake

Monitoring dietary intake and digestion is important for both medical monitoring and assessing the wellness of individuals. Fiber is an important nutrient that is not focused on enough, despite it being an essential nutrient for the bacteria and other micro-organisms that reside in our GI Tracts, known as the microbiome. Ingestion of fermentable soluble and insoluble dietary fiber has been shown to result in the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) by the colonic microbiome. These SCFAs are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and can be detected in the atmosphere of a bowel movement. We have developed an e-Nose device that once placed in the bathroom records volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the ambient air. We have demonstrated in an "N of 1" study a strong correlation between the eNose output and grams of daily fiber intake. The current study is being proposed to validate the e-Nose device on a larger population. This is a nonmedical device that is not regulated by the FDA. A total of 40 subjects are invited to participate in this 3-week study. Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires and provide stool and blood samples. The subjects will place the eNose device in their bathroom and record their daily food intake over a 3-week period.