Detection of melamine in gluten, chicken feed, and processed foods using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy and HPLC

Visual and light scattering spectrometric method for the detection of melamine using uracil 5'-triphosphate sodium modified gold nanoparticles

A highly selective method was presented for colorimetric determination of melamine using uracil 5'-triphosphate sodium modified gold nanoparticles (UTP-Au NPs) in this paper. Specific hydrogen-bonding interaction between uracil base (U) and melamine resulted in the aggregation of AuNPs, displaying variations of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) features such as color change from red to blue and enhanced localized surface plasmon resonance light scattering (LSPR-LS) signals. Accordingly, the concentration of melamine could be quantified based on naked eye or a spectrometric method. This method was simple, inexpensive, environmental friendly and highly selective, which has been successfully used for the detection of melamine in pretreated liquid milk products with high recoveries.

Interaction of bombesin and its fragments with gold nanoparticles analyzed using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

This work demonstrates the application of commercially available stable surface composed of gold nanograins with diameters ranging from 70 to 226nm deposited onto silicon wafer for surface-enhanced Raman scattering investigations of biologically active compounds, such as bombesin (BN) and its fragments. BN is an important neurotransmitter involved in a complex signaling pathways and biological responses; for instance, hypertensive action, contractive on uterus, colon or ileum, locomotor activity, stimulation of gastric and insulin secretion as well as growth promotion of various tumor cell lines, including: lung, prostate, stomach, colon, and breast. It has also been shown that 8-14 BN C-terminal fragment partially retains the biological activity of BN. The SERS results for BN and its fragment demonstrated that (1) three amino acids from these peptides sequence; i.e., l-histidine, l-methionine, and l-tryptophan, are involved in the interaction with gold coated silicon wafer and (2) the strength of these interactions depends upon the aforementioned amino acids position in the peptide sequence.

Using Standing Gold Nanorod Arrays as Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) Substrates for Detection of Carbaryl Residues in Fruit Juice and Milk

In recent years, there have been increasing concerns about pesticide residues in various foods. On the other hand, there is growing attention in utilizing novel nanomaterials as highly sensitive, low-cost, and reproducible substrates for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) applications. The objective of this study was to develop a SERS method for the rapid detection of pesticides that were extracted from different types of food samples (fruit juice and milk). A new SERS substrate was prepared by assembling gold nanorods into standing arrays on a gold-coated silicon slide. The standing nanorod arrays were neatly arranged and were able to generate a strong electromagnetic field in SERS measurement. The as-prepared SERS substrate was utilized to detect carbaryl in acetonitrile/water solution, fruit juices (orange and grapefruit), and milk. The results show that the concentrations of carbaryl spiked in fruit juice and milk were linearly correlated with the concentrations predicted by the partial least-squares (PLS) models with r values of 0.91, 0.88, and 0.95 for orange juice, grapefruit juice, and milk, respectively. The SERS method was able to detect carbaryl that was extracted from fruit juice and milk samples at a 50 ppb level. The detection limits of carbaryl were 509, 617, and 391 ppb in orange juice, grapefruit juice, and milk, respectively. All detection limits are below the maximum residue limits that were set by the U.S. EPA. Moreover, satisfactory recoveries (82-97.5%) were accomplished for food samples using this method. These results demonstrate that SERS coupled with the standing gold nanorod array substrates is a rapid, reliable, sensitive, and reproducible method for the detection of pesticide residues in foods.

Advances in Nanotechnology as They Pertain to Food and Agriculture: Benefits and Risks

Nanotechnology is an emerging and rapidly developing toolbox that has novel and unique applications to food science and agriculture. Fast and impressive developments in nanotechnology for food and agriculture have led to new experimental prototype technologies and products. Developing various types of nanodelivery systems, detection tools, nanoscale modifications of bulk or surface properties, fabrication of wide-range bionanosensors, and biodegradable nanoplatforms can potentially improve consumer health and safety, product shelf life and stability, bioavailability, environmental sustainability, efficiency of processing and packaging, and real-time monitoring. Some recently developed nanotechnology techniques and potential product applications of nanotechnology are summarized in this review. Exposure to nanomaterials may be harmful to the consumer and the environment and might increase the potential of risk. For this reason, evaluation of the potential risks resulting from the interaction of nanomaterials with biological systems, humans, and the environment is also reviewed.

Au@Ag core–shell nanoparticles with a hidden internal reference promoted quantitative solid phase microextraction-surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy detection

Structural representation of the SPME-SERS fiber with an internal reference and the SERS detection.

Nanocomposite biosensors for point-of-care—evaluation of food quality and safety

Nanosensors have wide applications in the food industry. Nanosensors based on quantum dots for heavy metal and organophosphate pesticides detection, and nanocomposites as indicators for shelf life of fish/meat products, have served as important tools for food quality and safety assessment. Luminescent labels consisting of NPs conjugated to aptamers have been popular for rapid detection of infectious and foodborne pathogens. Various detection technologies, including microelectromechanical systems for gas analytes, microarrays for genetically modified foods, and label-free nanosensors using nanowires, microcantilevers, and resonators are being applied extensively in the food industry. An interesting aspect of nanosensors has also been in the development of the electronic nose and electronic tongue for assessing organoleptic qualities, such as, odor and taste of food products. Real-time monitoring of food products for rapid screening, counterfeiting, and tracking has boosted ingenious, intelligent, and innovative packaging of food products. This chapter will give an overview of the contribution of nanotechnology-based biosensors in the food industry, ongoing research, technology advancements, regulatory guidelines, future challenges, and industrial outlook.

SERS detection of microRNA biomarkers for cancer diagnosis using gold-coated paramagnetic nanoparticles to capture SERS-active gold nanoparticles

A highly sensitive magnetic-capture SERS assay for detecting cancer-related microRNAs was developed by enhancing the formation of SERS “hot spots”.

Detection and quantification of adulterants in milk powder using a high-throughput Raman chemical imaging technique

Milk is a vulnerable target for economically motivated adulteration. In this study, a line-scan high-throughput Raman imaging system was used to authenticate milk powder. A 5 W 785 nm line laser (240 mm long and 1 mm wide) was used as a Raman excitation source. The system was used to acquire hyperspectral Raman images in a wave number range of 103-2881 cm^-1 from the skimmed milk powder mixed with two nitrogen-rich adulterants (i.e., melamine and urea) at eight concentrations (w/w) from 50 to 10,000 ppm. The powdered samples were put in sample holders with a surface area of 150 ×100 mm and a depth of 2 mm for push-broom image acquisition. Varying fluorescence signals from the milk powder were removed using a correction method based on adaptive iteratively reweighted penalised least squares. Image classifications were conducted using a simple thresholding method applied to single-band fluorescence-corrected images at unique Raman peaks selected for melamine (673 cm^-1) and urea (1009 cm^-1). Chemical images were generated by combining individual binary images of melamine and urea to visualise identification, spatial distribution and morphological features of the two adulterant particles in the milk powder. Limits of detection for both melamine and urea were estimated in the order of 50 ppm. High correlations were found between pixel concentrations (i.e., percentages of the adulterant pixels in the chemical images) and mass concentrations of melamine and urea, demonstrating the potential of the high-throughput Raman chemical imaging method for the detection and quantification of adulterants in the milk powder.

Quantitative Analysis of Single and Mix Food Antiseptics Basing on SERS Spectra with PLSR Method

Usage and dosage of food antiseptics are very concerned due to their decisive influence in food safety. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect was employed in this research to realize trace potassium sorbate (PS) and sodium benzoate (SB) detection. HfO2 ultrathin film-coated Ag NR array was fabricated as SERS substrate. Protected by HfO2 film, the SERS substrate possesses good acid resistance, which enables it to be applicable in acidic environment where PS and SB work. Regression relationship between SERS spectra of 0.3~10 mg/L PS solution and their concentration was calibrated by partial least squares regression (PLSR) method, and the concentration prediction performance was quite satisfactory. Furthermore, mixture solution of PS and SB was also quantitatively analyzed by PLSR method. Spectrum data of characteristic peak sections corresponding to PS and SB was used to establish the regression models of these two solutes, respectively, and their concentrations were determined accurately despite their characteristic peak sections overlapping. It is possible that the unique modeling process of PLSR method prevented the overlapped Raman signal from reducing the model accuracy.

A rapid Raman detection of deoxynivalenol in agricultural products

Mycotoxin results in financial damage and considerable safety risks. In this paper, the possibility of portable Raman system-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for a rapid detection of deoxynivalenol (DON) a mycotoxin in cereals was investigated. Under an optimized condition, SERS analysis for pure DON solution has a wide dynamic concentration range from 10^-7M to 10^-2M with the limit of detection (LOD) down to 100nM. Density functional theory (DFT) analysis at the level of B3LYP/6-311++G(d, p) was also preformed for vibrational assignment. For practical application, the LOD of the proposed Raman method for both DON-contaminated corns and kidney beans were validated as 10^-6M and the LOD for DON-contaminated oats was 10^-4M. As a perspective, the SERS-based technology could be developed into an alternatively promising assay for on-field detection of DON residues at various cereals due to it high sensitivity and selectivity.

Highly Sensitive Detection of Melamine Using a One-Step Sample Treatment Combined with a Portable Ag Nanostructure Array SERS Sensor

There is an urgent need for rapid and reliable methods able to detect melamine in animal feed. In this study, a quick, simple, and sensitive method for the determination of melamine content in animal feed was developed using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy on fabricated Ag nanorod (AgNR) array substrates with a one-step sample extraction procedure. The AgNR array substrates washed by HNO₃ solvent (10⁻⁷ M) and methanol and showed the good stability within 6 months. The Raman shift at △ν = 682 cm⁻¹ was used as the characteristic melamine peak in the calculations. Sufficient linearity was obtained in the 2–200 μg·g⁻¹ range (R² = 0.926). The limits of detection and quantification were 0.9 and 2 μg·g⁻¹, respectively. The recovery rates were 89.7–93.3%, with coefficients of variation below 2.02%. The method showed good accuracy compared with the tradition GC-MS analysis. This new protocol only need 2 min to fininsh the detection which could be developed for rapid onsite screening of melamine contamination in quality control and market surveillance applications.

Electrodeposition of High Density Silver Nanosheets with Controllable Morphologies Served as Effective and Reproducible SERS Substrates

Silver nanosheets with a nanogap smaller than 10 nm and high reproducibility were constructed through simple and environmentally friendly electrodeposition method on copper plate. The sizes of the nanogaps can be varied from around 7 to 150 nm by adjusting the deposition time and current density. The nanosheets with different nanogaps exhibited varied surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) properties due to electromagnetic mechanism (EM). The optimized high density silver nanosheets with a nanogap smaller than 10 nm showed effective SERS ability with an enhanced factor as high as 2.0 × 10(5). Furthermore, the formation mechanism of the nanosheets during the electrodeposition process has been investigated by discussing the influence of boric acid and current density. This method has proved to be applicable on different metal substrates, which exhibits the potential to be widely used in different fields.

Sustainable and consumer-friendly emerging technologies for application within the meat industry: An overview

New and emerging robust technologies can play an important role in ensuring a more resilient meat value chain and satisfying consumer demands and needs. This paper outlines various novel thermal and non-thermal technologies which have shown potential for meat processing applications. A number of process analytical techniques which have shown potential for rapid, real-time assessment of meat quality are also discussed. The commercial uptake and consumer acceptance of novel technologies in meat processing have been subjects of great interest over the past decade. Consumer focus group studies have shown that consumer expectations and liking for novel technologies, applicable to meat processing applications, vary significantly. This overview also highlights the necessity for meat processors to address consumer risk-benefit perceptions, knowledge and trust in order to be commercially successful in the application of novel technologies within the meat sector.

Analysis of Genomic DNAs from Nine Rosaceae Species Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of genomic DNA was used to determine genetic relationships and species identification of nine plants from three subfamilies of Rosaceae. Genomic DNA was extracted, and the SERS spectra were obtained by using a nanosilver collosol at an excitation wavelength of 785 nm. Adenine and ribodesose were the active sites of genomic DNAs in the silver surface-enhanced Raman spectra. The strong peak at 714 cm(-1) was assigned to the stretching vibration of adenine, the strong peak at 1011cm(-1) contributed to the stretching vibration of the deoxyribose and the scissoring vibrations of cytosine, and the strong peak at 625 cm(-1) is the stretching vibration of glycosidic bond and the scissoring vibrations of guanine. The three-dimensional plot of the first, second, and third principal components showed that the nine species could be classified into three categories (three subfamilies), consistent with the traditional classification. The model of the hierarchical cluster combined with the principal component of the second derivative was more reasonable. The results of the cluster analysis showed that apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) and cherry (Prunus seudocerasus Lindl.) were clustered into one category (Prunoideae); firethorn (Firethorn fortuneana Li.), loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.), apple (Malus pumila Mill.), and crabapple (Malus hallianna Koehne.) were clustered into a second category (Pomoideae); and potentilla (Potentilla fulgens Wall.), rose (Rosa chinensis Jacd.), and strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis Duchesne.) were clustered into a third category (Rosoideae). These classifications were in accordance with the traditional classification with a correction rate of clustering of 100%. The correct rate of species identification was 100%. These five main results indicate that the genetic relationship and species identification of nine Rosaceae species could be determined by using SERS spectra of their genomic DNAs.

Biofunctionalized silver nanoparticles as a novel colorimetric probe for melamine detection in raw milk

Nanoparticles have emerged as a promising analytical tool for monitoring food adulteration and safety. In the present study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using leaves' extract of Jatropha gossypifolia. AgNPs revealed a characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 419 nm and have spherical and grain shape with size range between 18 and 30 nm. A selective and rapid method of melamine detection in raw milk was developed with the use of these biofunctionalized AgNPs. The color change, deviation in SPR spectra, and change in the absorption ratio (A500 /A419 ) of AgNPs occurred after an AgNPs-melamine interaction. The detection limit for melamine up to 2 μM (252 ppb) was attained with this method, which is quite lower than safety level recommendations of regulatory bodies demonstrating sensitivity of the method. Dynamicx light scattering and transmission electron microscopy analyses exhibited an increase in hydrodynamic diameter and size of AgNPs after melamine interaction. Melamine sensing by AgNPs was investigated by different physicochemical and thermal analyses.

High performance surface-enhanced Raman scattering from molecular imprinting polymer capsulated silver spheres

Driven by the ultrasensitivity of the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technique and the directive selection of molecular imprinting polymers (MIPs), core–shell silver-molecularly imprinted polymer (Ag@MIP) hybrid structure was synthesized to serve as a novel SERS platform.

Silver nanoparticle aggregates on metal fibers for solid phase microextraction–surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Silver–copper fibers loaded with silver nanoparticles are used for SPME–SERS detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which can be further confirmed by GC-MS.

Fabrication of transparent SERS platform via interface self-assembly of gold nanorods and gel trapping technique for on-site real time detection

A Au nanorod PDMS SERS platform has been developed for the on-site detection of contaminants in water and on real-world surfaces.

Colorimetric detection of melamine based on methanobactin-mediated synthesis of gold nanoparticles

A simple and rapid field-portable colorimetric method for the detection of melamine in liquid milk was reported. Methanobactin (Mb) could reduce Au (III) to Au (0) and mediate the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs). Upon the addition of melamine, melamine interacted with oxazolone ring of Mb, which interrupted the formation of Au-NPs. Melamine could also stimulate the aggregation of formed Au-NPs. In this paper, these characteristics have been used to detect melamine in liquid milk by naked eyes observation with a detection limit of 5.56 × 10(-6)M (0.7 mg/kg). Further, the plasmon absorbance of the formed Au-NPs allowed the quantitative detection of melamine by UV-vis spectrometer. A linear correlation was existed between the absorbance and the melamine concentration ranging from 3.90 × 10(-7)M to 3.97 × 10(-6)M with a correlation coefficient of 0.9685. The detection limit (3σ) obtained by UV-vis spectrum was as low as 2.38 × 10(-7)M (i.e., 0.03 mg/kg).

Use of graphene and gold nanorods as substrates for the detection of pesticides by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy

This study aimed to use gold nanorods and graphene as key materials to fabricate high-performance substrates for the detection of pesticides by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Three types of pesticides (azinphos-methyl, carbaryl, and phosmet) were selected. Gold nanorods have great potential to be used as a SERS substrate because it is easy to tune the surface plasmon resonance of the nanorods to the laser excitation wavelength of Raman spectroscopy. Graphene is a promising nanoscale material that can be used for supporting metal nanostructures. Three types of novel SERS substrates were fabricated, including graphene-gold film-gold nanorod (G-Au-AuNR) substrate, gold film-gold nanorod (Au-AuNR) substrate, and graphene coupled with gold nanorods (G-AuNR). The results demonstrate that G-Au-AuNR substrates exhibited the strongest Raman signals of the selected pesticides, followed by the Au-AuNR substrates. G-AuNR exhibited the weakest Raman signals, and no characteristic spectral features of the analytes were obtained. A partial least-squares method was used to develop quantitative models for the analysis of spectral data (R = 0.94, 0.87, and 0.86 for azinphos-methyl, carbaryl, and phosmet, respectively). The G-Au-AuNRs substrate was able to detect all three types of pesticides at the parts per million level with limits of detection at around 5, 5, and 9 ppm for azinphos-methyl, carbaryl, and phosmet, respectively. These results indicate that combining gold nanorods and graphene has great potential in the fabrication of sensitive, lightweight, and flexible substrates for SERS applications to improve food safety.

Detection of melamine in feed using liquid-liquid extraction treatment combined with surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy

A rapid, selective, and sensitive method to determine the melamine content in animal feeds was developed using surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy on aggregated 55 nm Au nanoparticles with liquid-liquid extraction sample preparation. Butyl alcohol was used as the initial extraction solvent, and liquid-liquid extraction was performed twice using HCl (pH 3-4) and 6:1 (v/v) n-butyl alcohol/ethyl acetate. The intensity of the matrix-based peak at 731 cm⁻¹ was set at 100 as a basis for the feeds, and the peak at 707 cm-1 was the characteristic peak of melamine used in the calculations. Sufficient linearity was obtained in the range 2-10 µg·g⁻¹ (R² = 0.991). Limits of detection and quantification in the feeds were 0.5 and 2 µg·g⁻¹, respectively. The recovery rates were 82.5-90.2% with coefficients of variation below 4.02%. This new protocol could be easily developed for the routine monitoring of on-site feed quality and market surveillance.

Simple SERS substrates: powerful, portable, and full of potential

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful spectroscopic technique capable of detecting trace amounts of chemicals and identifying them based on their unique vibrational characteristics. While there are many complex methods for fabricating SERS substrates, there has been a recent shift towards the development of simple, low cost fabrication methods that can be performed in most labs or even in the field. The potential of SERS for widespread use will likely be realized only with development of cheaper, simpler methods. In this Perspective article we briefly review several of the more popular methods for SERS substrate fabrication, discuss the characteristics of simple SERS substrates, and examine several methods for producing simple SERS substrates. We highlight potential applications and future directions for simple SERS substrates, focusing on highly SERS active three-dimensional nanostructures fabricated by inkjet and screen printing and galvanic displacement for portable SERS analysis - an area that we believe has exciting potential for future research and commercialization.

High-adhesive superhydrophobic 3D nanostructured silver films applied as sensitive, long-lived, reproducible and recyclable SERS substrates

Silver films with different morphologies were chemically deposited by controlling the bath composition. It is found that the wettability and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) properties were closely connected with the surface morphology. Due to the perfect 3D morphology and the 3D electromagnetic field enhanced by three types of nanogaps distributed uniformly, the 3D microball/nanosheet (MN) silver film shows better SERS properties than those of 2D nanosheets (NSs) and nanoparticles (NPs). The MN silver film showed high adhesive superhydrophobic properties after an oxidation process without any functionalization. It can hold the liquid droplet and trace the target molecules in a rather small volume. The SERS properties of the oxidized MN substrate were enhanced remarkably compared to those of the freshly prepared substrate because of the concentrating effect of the superhydrophobicity. The as-prepared 3D MN silver substrate has also exhibited good performances in reproducibility and reutilization which makes it a promising substrate for molecule tracing.