Current data processing methods and reporting standards for untargeted analysis of volatile organic compounds using direct mass spectrometry: a systematic review.

Introduction: Untargeted direct mass spectrometric analysis of volatile organic compounds has many potential applications across fields such as healthcare and food safety. However, robust data processing protocols must be employed to ensure that research is replicable and practical applications can be realised. User-friendly data processing and statistical tools are becoming increasingly available; however, the use of these tools have neither been analysed, nor are they necessarily suited for every data type.

Objectives: This review aims to analyse data processing and analytic workflows currently in use and examine whether methodological reporting is sufficient to enable replication.

Methods: Studies identified from Web of Science and Scopus databases were systematically examined against the inclusion criteria. The experimental, data processing, and data analysis workflows were reviewed for the relevant studies.

Results: From 459 studies identified from the databases, a total of 110 met the inclusion criteria. Very few papers provided enough detail to allow all aspects of the methodology to be replicated accurately, with only three meeting previous guidelines for reporting experimental methods. A wide range of data processing methods were used, with only eight papers (7.3%) employing a largely similar workflow where direct comparability was achievable.

Conclusions: Standardised workflows and reporting systems need to be developed to ensure research in this area is replicable, comparable, and held to a high standard. Thus, allowing the wide-ranging potential applications to be realised.