Excitation Emission Matrix and Parallel Factor Analysis of Blood Plasma for Effective Delineation of Potentially Malignant Disorders

Background: Native fluorescence spectroscopy is a noninvasive real-time tool to probe the molecular alteration in tissues in pathological conditions by utilizing fluorescence properties of intrinsic fluorophores. Excitation emission matrix (EEM) is a technique to view multiple fluorophores simultaneously in single mapping. EEMs combined with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) is a useful technique to analyze the spectral profile and relative distributions of fluorophores present in tissues and body fluids. Analysis of the EEM of normal blood plasma and oral potentially malignant disorders (PMDs) provides useful insight into the biochemical changes occurring during the transformation of normal cells into premalignant condition. Objective: To perform PARAFAC analysis on EEMs of normal and PMD blood plasma and gain insights into the biochemical changes associated with the transformation of normal cells into a premalignant condition. Methods: Blood samples of 20 healthy individuals and 20 patients with clinically diagnosed oral PMDs were subjected to the EEM technique. PARAFAC analysis was performed using N-Way Toolbox (MATLAB v2021a). Results: The results of PARAFAC analysis reveal that the relative concentration of aromatic amino acids, tyrosine, and tryptophan is significantly higher in PMD blood plasma as compared to normal. Conclusion: Aromatic amino acids present in blood plasma proteins could be used as a potential biomarker in effectively delineating PMD patients from normal individuals.