Overview
- A University of Maryland team developed a clip-on electrochemical sensor that detects hydrogen in flatus as a noninvasive readout of gut microbiome activity.
- A peer-reviewed pilot of 19 adults wearing the device for a week during waking hours recorded a mean of 32 daily events, with individual totals ranging from 4 to 59.
- The device detected increased hydrogen after inulin consumption with 94.7% sensitivity, indicating it can track fermentation responses to diet.
- The Human Flatus Atlas is recruiting adults across the United States and will ship devices to participants, focusing on groups such as “Zen Digesters” and “Hydrogen Hyperproducers,” with stool sampling planned for the extremes.
- Patent applications have been filed and the technology is licensed to Ventoscity LLC, while the sensor remains a research instrument not yet available to consumers.